Author: Tenneson Woolf

Delighted to be hosting these Circles for Faith Leaders.
Delighted to be creating them with my friend Rev Wendy Miller Olapade.
Because, we all need a space
to share story, get witness, clarify, and perhaps simplify.

Details are here on Wendy’s site.
Links to registration also.

Thx for passing along as inspired.

And then it’s done.

The last Circle is held. Each of us checking out, sharing some bits of how we are changed. Also sharing some bits of what will remain percolating. All affirming a kind of medicine found together. And felt together.

Oh, what good can be created with Circle. With experiences shared. With a story told (thx Bi). With an altar of personal pieces that alter us in such alchemical ways. Oh what good can be created with twelve men enjoying breakfast together, telling a few overnight dreams. Oh what good can be created with a time to dwell together touching deeper layers, yet through such simple means.

And then it’s done.

We move on, altared and altered, to the next.
A bow.

Soultime is the name of a twice / year men’s retreat. For the last fifteen years, a core of 6-7 men. And, an added varied ring of another 5-6 men. We have been as young as 30 something. And as old as 80 something. Some have died over the years. Some have found birth, including me.

It’s yurt (this year, cabins). It’s story (my buddy Bi brings a tale to be told in four parts). It’s Circle — our primary shape for listening, learning, stirring. It’s ritual (we create it differently each time). It’s song. It’s drum. It’s ancestors. It’s food. Its dishes cleaned and sorted. It’s dreams. We all jump in with all.

As one of my colleagues named earlier this week, “soulful brotherhood is medicine.” Got that right.

As one of our Soutime ancestors said (John died in September), “please continue to reveal the deep character and soul so that we live more conscious lives.” Yes.

And as has been so alive for me over the last couple of weeks, “we create learning village.” Sometimes over time. Sometimes for the four days we have together.

So, a ride to the airport from my Sweetie Dana this morning — it’s good to be sent to such things. A flight from Salt Lake City to Calgary. A good long layover — reading, email to tuck in projects, a bite to eat, etc. Another flight Calgary to Comox (with two other Soultime Brothers). Picked up by my buddy Bi the storyteller — it’s good to be picked up for such things too.

And it’s on.

Soultime.

I’m grateful.