Grief Space

                                             Grief Space, 3rd Sunday

                   Monthly from June 16, 2024 - 4:00-5:00pm (GMT) 

 There is a price in not expressing one’s grief…There can be so much grief that we grow numb from the unfelt and unexpressed emotions that we carry in our bodies. Unexpressed hurt and pain injures our souls.” – Sobonfu Somé, author, teacher, and activist

In addition to personal losses, including from covid, we have seen many other aspects of loss in recent years, resulting from war, climate change and recession. Over time this can diminish our internal resources and resilience and impact our mental health. We might feel less connected, or that we have not been heard or witnessed or that the changing nature of the world is too much for us to deal with.

Grief is personal. It happens in its own time and in its own way. Every journey is different. Sometimes we simply don’t have the resources to cope. And we can find ourselves suffering years later but not recognise it as unresolved grief.

These monthly groups are designed to support us through group work, building community, breakout rooms, mindfulness practice and the stages of grief. When grief is a collective and shared path it becomes more manageable. We realise we all need to grieve, and recognise that we are not alone.  This is part of the medicine.

There are many situations that cause us serious pain and sorrow: life changing losses; the death of a loved one; a relationship ends; a pet dies, a job ends; divorce. Then there is everyday grief: a friend lets us down; our children struggle; we feel the loss of our roots and community. Our culture seems to encourage the ‘stiff upper lip’ and ‘moving on’. But it doesn't have to be this way.

There is no timeline for, or solution to ‘getting over’ or ‘moving on’ from grief. But we can learn to grow around our painful wounds, and begin to come to a place of peace and remember with more love than pain. Grief isn't something you simply "fix"; instead, it's a process that you learn to navigate with time, patience, and self-compassion. Develop the skills and mindset needed to effectively cope with the inevitable ups and downs of grief, allowing you to find healing, growth and, ultimately, a renewed sense of purpose and meaning in your life.

As Rumi beautifully said: “Your task is not to seek for love, but to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.”

1. Connect with a community of people in a shared path.

Connecting with others who have walked a similar path can provide much-needed support from people who know firsthand what you're going through. Together, you'll offer each other empathy, validation, and encouragement on this journey toward healing. Even though your story will be different and special, we know what it is like to feel the pain and the complexity of being fully present with the various stages of grief.

2. Learn valuable and strategic healing methods and somatic/mindfulness excercises in weekly groups to build clarity and resilience.

Each week we will engage in a supportive movement, somatic exercise and mindfulness practices to support us. These tools will not only help you navigate your grief but also enable a sense of integration and self-regulation but also enable you to find meaning and purpose in your life moving forward.

3. Breathing together

Explore your emotions in a way that feels authentic and natural for you in a safe environment. Our Breathwork Journey: “Clearing Anger, Sadness, & Grief.” Just as a garden needs weeding for new growth, our emotional landscapes require clearing for rejuvenation. In this transformative session, we delve into the depths of our breath to unearth and release the knots of anger, the weight of sadness, and the echoes of grief that linger within.

4. Experience the power of creative expression

Sharing your story can be an incredibly therapeutic way to process your grief ,you'll have the opportunity to share your memories and experiences in a supportive, non-judgmental environment. Additionally, the program incorporates creative activities such writing, photo sharing, and music, to help you express your emotions and find new ways to honour the memory of your loved one.

About the host :

William Fley is a bereavement counsellor with the emergency services and has worked within the NHS.  He has practised in various Buddhist traditions for over 20 years.  William is the founder and director of the "Mindfulness Network for people of colour" a community interest company based in the UK, which aims to bring awareness of transgenerational trauma through mindfulness-based interventions.  Qualified as a 'Breathworks' mindfulness teacher, he completed a 2-year certification program with Tara Brach and Jack Kornfield. has Studied with Danial Foor founder of Ancestral medicine and David Kessler an internationally known bereavement specialist. He has also completed a 18 month course in African centred practices with Dr Erica Mcinnis