The Sacred Work of Grief and Gratitude
Location and Fall Dates TBD
Beginning at 5pm on Friday and ending at 4pm on Sunday
The work of the mature person is to carry grief in one hand and gratitude in the other and to be stretched large by them. How much sorrow can I hold? That’s how much gratitude I can give.
-Francis Weller
Amidst the golden tapestry of leaves rustled by the autumnal breeze, we extend a heartfelt invitation to 22 participants for Tending the Harvest, a transformative retreat that delves into the profound symbolism of this season. Autumn, a paradox of plenty and decline, beckons us to engage in the sacred dance of grief and gratitude, mirroring the intricate cycle of life itself.
In the symphony of nature, autumn unfolds as a tapestry of dualities, where ripening, harvest, and abundance intertwine with whispers of decay, decline, and the inevitable touch of death.
At the heart of autumn lies the cornucopia, an ancient symbol embodying abundance and generosity. It speaks of the earth’s overflowing bounty, reminding us to recognize and express gratitude for the boundless blessings that surround us. And yet, synonymous with letting go, autumn prompts a release akin to the falling leaves, offering solace in the understanding that, like the trees that bud anew, we too have the opportunity for renewal.
As we bid farewell to summer, the autumnal landscape becomes a sanctuary for grounding and introspection. Within this season of preparation, both tangible and ethereal, we are summoned to craft spaces of refuge and renewal, recognizing the essential need for emotional and spiritual sustenance.
“Grief is praise, because it is
the natural way love honors what it misses.”
-Martin Préchtel
Within the immersive embrace of our “pop-up village,” we will unravel the healing power of being heard and received in our grief, discovering how grief practices serve as nourishment for soul expression, growth, and connection.
Framed through the lens of Francis Weller’s gates of grief, we will explore the mysterious interplay between grief and joy. We will also delve into the understanding that while a sense of gratitude is inherently available to us all, it must be actively practiced to be truly accessible.
Despite the challenges presented by our current culture of fear, anxiety, and scarcity, practicing gratitude becomes the fertile ground where a spiritual gratitude muscle can take root, grow, and strengthen. This practice transcends spiritual bypassing; it embodies the work of a mature adult capable of establishing a harmonious relationship with their grief.
Over our three-days together, we will explore:
• Breathwork and body-centered practices to deepen our trust in our emotional and body wisdom
• Therapeutic writing, inquiry, and small group work to assist in opening to our stories of loss
• Personal and community rituals to honor and give voice to our grief
• Somatic practices to open ourselves to the power of gratitude, joy, and awe
As we practice the courage to be with the authenticity of our hearts, we enhance our capacity to embody a vibrant sense of aliveness and compassion. The beauty of this work is its capacity to expand into our communities and the world. This is a form of soul activism and what we are called to embody in this critical time.
On cultural appropriation and ritual work:
In our work, we approach any rituals, songs, or practices from non-dominant cultures with deep respect and gratitude. They have been shared and gifted with blessings to aid in our collective healing. We are committed to acknowledging and honoring the sources of these practices, recognizing the responsibility that comes with engaging with them.
THE INFORMATION BELOW PERTAINS TO LAST SUMMER’S TENDING THE ACHE RETREAT. DATES, PRICING, LOCATION INFORMATION AND LODGING/ACCOMMODATIONS WILL BE UPDATED IN THE SPRING
We will begin at 5pm on Friday, October 3 and conclude at 4pm on Sunday, October 5. To cultivate trust and containment, participation for the entire weekend is essential.
What’s included
• Two highly trained trauma-informed facilitators, and one seasoned space-holder
• 2 nights lodging in spacious, well-appointed single and double-occupancy rooms
• All meals for residents: dinner on Friday evening; breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday; Sunday breakfast and lunch
• All meals for commuters except breakfast on Saturday and Sunday
Important Note on Timing and Readiness:
If you’ve experienced a significant loss or trauma within the past six months, we invite you to reach out to the facilitators before registering. Community grief retreats can be deeply meaningful, but they often require a certain level of emotional stability to be beneficial. For some, especially in the immediate aftermath of a profound loss, it may feel too soon. As a general guideline, attending a retreat like this is often most supportive six months to a year after a major loss. We’re happy to talk with you and help discern whether this experience feels right for you at this time.
Pricing and cancellation policy
$725 single-occupancy / $625 double-occupancy* / $525 commuter
Registration will close September 15 at 5pm or when the retreat fills to capacity.
*For double-occupancy, you must sign up with a loved one, friend, or roommate in mind. We will not be assigning roommates. Be prepared to supply your roommate’s name at check-out, and have them do the same for you.
Scholarships:
If attending this retreat creates a significant financial hardship and you seek a scholarship or work-study exchange, please fill out this form. There are a few scholarship opportunities available at 25-50% of tuition. For scholarships, we prioritize applicants from historically marginalized communities, first responders, veterans, those in the helping professions, and students. Scholarship applications are due by August 30.
Cancellation Policy:
When registering, we ask that you are crystal clear on your intentions and commitment and consider your reservation and payment as a wholehearted YES to being here. We understand that things can come up that interrupt plans and schedules, but we also know from experience that when we prioritize this sacred work, we will move heaven and earth to honor our grief’s calling. Spaces to work with grief in community through ritual are rare in modern western culture. In our retreats, we seek to create a community of shared values and embodied respect for the preciousness of this work.
We do, however, understand that some things fall outside of our control, and to this end we offer the following:
A 50% refund if you need to cancel before August 15
A 25% refund if you need to cancel before September 15
Due to the sheer number of cancellations and requests to move retreats as of late, we can no longer offer the option of forwarding tuition to a future retreat. This updated cancellation policy serves you, as participants in this sacred work, by honoring the time, heart, and soul that we, as facilitators, put into creating supportive and transformative spaces for deep connection and healing.
To help protect your investment and offer peace of mind in the case of unexpected changes, we strongly encourage you to consider purchasing travel insurance.
Expectations we hold for our participants
• We are social justice advocates that aim to create a space of support and care for all who gather. If you enroll in this retreat, our expectation is that you are wholeheartedly in support of and in alignment with creating a respectful and inclusive space for people across a broad range of identities (LGBTQ+, BIPOC, etc.) Please register with this orientation in your heart.
• This weekend retreat and ritual is not a passive teaching program but a participatory communal space where we ask people to show up for each other and for the soul of the community. Please register with this orientation in your heart.
• This retreat is open to anyone navigating any form of grief, not just those who have lost loved ones. Our intention is to create a container to support all sources of loss and grief, from acute personal losses to earth grief and ancestral loss. Please register with this orientation in your heart.
What to bring
• A water bottle.
• A journal and pen.
• Items for the grief shrine and altars of support that are sacred and symbolic for you.
• Yoga mat (even a blanket and special pillow for comfort, if easy to pack)
• Please check the weather predictions before you go for appropriate clothing. Temperatues in October in North Carolina can fluctuate wildly. Layers are suggested, for moving between indoors an outdoors.
• Favorite snack(s) for your room and any other creature comforts you may want to nurture yourself
• An item for Sunday’s give-away ceremony (more to come on that)
About the location
This event is located at the beautiful Haw River State Park Summit Conference Center, in Brown Summit, North Carolina. When we are not meeting in the lovely Heron’s Roost for our group time, there are many beautiful trails to explore.
The closest airport to us is Greensboro (GSO). Participants flying in can also look into Charlotte or Raleigh airports. We are happy to help connect folks who might be interested in carpooling from an airport or somewhere else in the region.
About your facilitators
Samantha DiRosa, MFA, RYT, is a university professor, yoga instructor, ritualist, and expressive arts facilitator based in Greensboro, North Carolina. She brings 20 years of facilitation and teaching experience in the realm of higher-education, alongside an artist’s sensitivity and depth of insight, to her work with groups. Having trained with Francis Weller, author of The Wild Edge of Sorrow, and Joanna Macy, author of Active Hope, she believes in the power of ritual and ceremony to transmute sorrow and loss into the healing of individuals, communities, and the Earth. Samantha’s beloved teachers also include Daniel Foor, Malidoma Somé, Martín Prechtel, and Linda Thai. She lives with her daughter and her pack of non-human companions in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, the occupied lands of the Keyauwee and Saura peoples. When she is not teaching, she maintains a small private coaching / consulting practice and spends time connecting with her Celtic and Sicilian ancestral roots.
To learn more about Samantha click here.
Summer Estes MA, LCMHC, is a lifelong student passionate about creating transformative spaces. She is a wife, mother, licensed psychotherapist, breath facilitator, Enneagram teacher, mystic, inquisitive seeker, intuitive healer, soul activist, and founder of Embodied-Intelligence. Summer integrates perennial wisdom teachings with contemplative, somatic, and mindfulness practices, engaging in the practice of inquiry as a student of A.H. Almaas Diamond Approach. She loves facilitating learning and healing environments where participants can connect with what is alive and authentic within.
With over 18 years of experience in leading workshops, groups, and retreats in the healing arts, Summer has served on the faculty of The Second Breath Center, a wisdom school in Greensboro, NC. She is drawn to embodied wisdom and has delved into teachings of embodiment experts, indigenous wisdom, and breathwork. Summer’s journey has been enriched by diverse teachers and writings of mystics from various traditions, shaping her understanding and approach to her work. Some of her teachers include, Francis Weller, Dr. Tara Brach, Malidoma Somé, Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault, and Dr. Gabor Mate.
To learn more about Summer click here and to read her statement on grief-tending click here.
Beth Farrand is a spiritual coach, group facilitator, breath facilitator, retreat leader, homebody-adventurer, flower lover, artist, and mom to 3 sons & 1 golden retriever named Millie. Beth is a graduate of the Shalem Institute’s Spiritual Guidance Program and has been a spiritual coach for 13 years. She loves holding presence and space for others as they seek to listen to their own inner wisdom. Beth brings her decades of experience with internal work, her supportive presence and her ability to hear beneath the surface, to her sessions, groups and retreats. When she is not coaching or facilitating, you will find Beth hiking and exploring nature around her home in the beautiful North Carolina mountains.
To learn more about Beth click here.
Sandy Blocker is the University Accompanist at Elon University who plays world percussion instruments for modern, ballet and African dance classes. He was trained from an early age as a classical dancer. At age 18 he moved to Virginia to study ballet with the School of Norfolk Ballet before receiving a scholarship to move to New York to study with the Joffrey Ballet School. He felt the call to world percussion drumming in an African dance class at UNCG, which led him to many trips over the Atlantic to study various forms of drumming. Sandy is a versatile world percussionist, proficient in playing African, Middle Eastern, and South American rhythms on a variety of percussion instruments, including the riqq, djembe, and conga drums. He has drummed with Malidoma Somé and will be accompanying our grief ritual Saturday evening.
Statement on Diversity and Inclusivity
As facilitators, our intention is to create an inclusive space that honors all cultures and ethnicities. However, as white-bodied humans, we recognize the privilege and systemic advantages inherent in our identities and acknowledge that the racial lenses that have shaped our experiences and perspectives differ significantly from those of BIPOC individuals. We are dedicated to actively listening, learning, and unlearning, and we are committed to ongoing growth as facilitators in this area. May our collective grief cry serve as a catalyst for change and liberation, as we work towards dismantling oppressive systems and creating a world where all beings can thrive.
Covid policy
Masking is optional, but discouraged given the nature of this work where we all rely on non-verbal cues to communicate and find safety. We do not request vaccination or testing prior to arrival. However if you are symptomatic within ten days prior to the program start date we ask that you please ensure that you are not contagious before arriving. This is a self-monitoring agreement and we trust in your personal integrity. Thank you.
Risk Disclosure Statement
Know that:
• Participation is voluntary.
• You may choose your level of engagement at all times.
• These activities do not replace therapy, counseling, or medical care.
• Individuals with a history of significant trauma, complex grief, PTSD, or medical/mental health conditions are encouraged to consult with a healthcare provider before attending.
Potential risks include, but are not limited to:
• Emotional discomfort, grief activation, or triggering memories
• Minor physical strain or fatigue from movement or ritual activities
• Exposure to natural elements (weather, uneven terrain, etc.)
• Interaction with other participants’ emotional expression, which may feel challenging
• Sensory experiences such as smoke, sound, or ritual materials
Samantha DiRosa 