Swimming In To SoulCollage

Transcription

1 Swimming In To SoulCollage E-Workbook For use with the book: SoulCollage by Seena Frost This e-workbook was written by Anne Marie Bennett SoulCollage Facilitator

2 Table of Contents Welcome 3 Gather Your Gear- List of Materials 5 Meet Your Instructor 10 Getting Your Toes Wet- Warm-Ups 15 Learning the Strokes- Background Reading 18 SoulCollage Overview 18 The Four Suits Committee 19 Community 24 Companions 27 Council 30 The Neters 32 Splashing Around in the Pool Making SoulCollage Cards 35 Everyone Out of the Pool! Interpreting A SoulCollage Card 41 2

3 Gallery Walk 51 Drying Off- Integrating the Experience Resources 54 Feedback Form 61 Welcome! Welcome to the e-workshop: Getting Started With SoulCollage. I m so glad you ve decided to take the plunge and swim in to this exciting adventure that is a unique blend of spiritual practice and the fun of collage. I would like to make it clear up front that SoulCollage is a trademarked process created by Seena Frost. At this time, Seena is the only person authorized to train SoulCollage facilitators. If you are considering using SoulCollage in groups beyond the immediate circle of your friends, please sign up for the SoulCollage Facilitator Training. This is also a good time to remind you that SoulCollage cards are for your personal use only. At no time do we sell our cards for any reason. The cards shown in this e-workshop are for the express purposes of giving examples of each part of the process. Now close your eyes for a moment and pretend that you re near your favorite body of water. Is it the ocean? A lake? A swimming pool? A river? Maybe it s an imaginary body of water where the water shimmers lavender and pink! Maybe it s the ol swimmin hole you used when you 3

4 were nine. Or perhaps it s a deep bathtub surrounded by candles and fat fluffy towels. Whatever it is, just close your eyes and imagine that you are there. Smell the water. Hear the sounds of the water lapping against the shore or the sides of the pool. Feel the warmth of the sun, or the cool serenity of the moon. Mmmmmm.. Now. Are you ready to go swimming? I thought so! But first we must get ready 4

5 Gather Your Gear (List of Materials You Will Need) Before we begin this SoulCollage workshop, you ll need to collect some materials. If you were really going swimming, you d need: a bathing suit, flip flops, tanning lotion, sunglasses, snacks, a bottle of water, goggles, a beach ball. Well, you get the idea! Gather up your SoulCollage supplies and spread them out in front of you on your workspace, which could be the kitchen table, an art table in your studio, the living room floor Wherever you feel most comfortable! 5

6 Here is a list of what you will need. There is a detailed description of each on pages 5-9. The book SoulCollage, by Seena Frost Mat board pieces measuring 5 x 8 Scissors Adhesive Frame Images A small candle (optional) Music that you like (optional) Brayer (optional) Mat knife (optional) File folders (optional) The Book SoulCollage by Seena Frost This is the only book available on the topic of SoulCollage and it is required for this workshop. If you don t have your copy yet, please click here to purchase it now. Throughout the book you will find corresponding reading assignments. They will be presented in boxes like these. Mat Board Mat board is a heavy type of cardboard that comes in many different colors and textures. It is the same material used when you buy a matted photograph or picture. 6

7 You can buy it in large sheets at art stores and then pay a small additional charge to have it cut into 5 x 8 pieces for your cards. It is also available for purchase at some craft stores. You can go to framing stores and ask for scrap pieces of mat board because they usually have extra. Most stores would rather give it away than throw it out. Some stores will also cut it for you for free. It doesn t hurt to ask! You can also purchase these, precut at the KaleidoSoul Shop, or at the SoulCollage website. Please note--- mat board is not absolutely necessary for the base of your cards. Other materials to consider: cardboard, cardstock, file folders, any kind of heavy, stiff paper. Whatever you use, be sure to cut them all to the exact same size. If you purchased the complete WORKSHOP IN A BOX, then you already have 15 mat boards to get started. Scissors Any kind of scissors will do for making SoulCollage cards. You will be using them to cut out images from magazines, so it will be helpful to have a small (very sharp) pair for doing any detailed cutting that you need to do. If you purchased the complete WORKSHOP IN A BOX, then you already have a nice sharp pair of scissors to get started. Adhesive If you purchased the complete WORKSHOP IN A BOX, you already have a large acid-free glue stick. However, you might want to try out different adhesives until you find the one that s right for you. Here are some options. Most can be purchased at craft stores, art supply stores, and places like WalMart. 7

8 Whatever you choose, be sure that it says ACID FREE on the label!!!! Rubber Cement or Paper Cement- I like this because it s slow to dry when you re brushing it on. Also, any excess that gets on your card (or work surface) can easily be peeled off after it dries. Glue Stick-- Be sure to buy the biggest one you can find! Frame If you purchased the complete WORKSHOP IN A BOX, then you already have a precut frame with an opening of 5 x 8. If not, it is simple to make one. Take a 5 x 8 mat board or piece of cardstock and lay it in the center of an 8.5 x 11 piece of cardboard or cardstock. Trace around the edges lightly with a pencil. Use a mat knife or scissors to cut out the opening. This frame comes in handy when you find a really large image. You can lay the frame over it to see what will fit on the card and what won t fit. It s also helpful when you put several images underneath it at once. You can see how the finished card will look because it covers up everything outside of the border. Images If you purchased the complete WORKSHOP IN A BOX, you will have a stack of images that you can use to get started. You re going to need more than this, however, as images are the most essential thing you ll need to create your deck of SoulCollage cards. You can find more images for your cards in a number of places: 8

9 magazines books greeting cards calendars (greatly reduced prices in January stock up then!) photographs scrapbook paper designs rubber stamps online ( image search) catalogs brochures travel brochures junk mail For today s workshop, we ll be using magazines, so be sure you have a nice big stack in your workspace (and by big stack I mean, about 30-50!) Here are some great places to get magazines for free. Most places are more than happy to save magazines for you (so be sure to ask first) because they feel better recycling them than throwing them out. your dentist s office your doctor s office the library yard sales that are over family and friends school libraries Helpful But Not Necessary A candle- Lighting a candle before you begin can help to create sacred space. It doesn t have to be a big or elaborate candle, 9

10 even a tealight on a pretty plate will do. A CD or tape of soft music- Choose some music that YOU find relaxing. This will also help to create sacred space for your SoulCollage card making experience. A brayer- for smoothing any air bubbles out of the images on the card after you ve glued it down A mat knife- helpful for marking the corners of images under the frame so you know where to glue them when you transfer them to the card File folders- good for organizing your images (which you may or may not find helpful) Meet Your Instructor I m Anne Marie Bennett, and I ll be your swimming (oops, SoulCollage ) Instructor today. Let me tell you a little about myself. My passion for collage began in childhood when I spent many carefree hours pasting cut-out pictures and words into handmade cards and booklets for family and friends. My passion for soul work also began when I was a child and continues to this day. My spiritual journey has taken me from the Catholic Church to the Episcopal Church (and a few other denominations in between!), to 12 Step groups, to small meditation and yoga groups, to individual and group retreats. 10

11 When I discovered SoulCollage in February of 2005, it was love at first card! I felt like I was in heaven! For me, it is the perfect weaving of spirit, art, and self-expression. I became a trained SoulCollage facilitator in September of 2005 and have been leading workshops ever since. My life journey has taken me down several career paths, including: second grade teacher, program creator for a gifted/talented program, educational consultant/district trainer for Jostens Learning Corporation, and Box Office Assistant Manager at the North Shore Music Theatre. During my time with Jostens, I led motivational workshops for teachers, and spoke at various regional conferences on creativity, humor and self-esteem. I feel closest to Spirit when I m near the ocean, as well as when I m writing, creating art, teaching, and sharing the gift of SoulCollage with others through small groups and workshops, both online and in person. I'm a self-taught artist and love experimenting with mixed-media collage, rubber stamp art, altered books, and watercolor. I'm also a freelance writer. Other passions that I celebrate: self-expression, travel, bookstores, chocolate, my three cats, theatre, dance, photography, yoga, long walks, Native American culture, dragonflies, swans, creative movement, and rainbows. Enough about me! Now it s your turn. The PlaySheet on the next page encourages you to look back over your own Life Journey. Jot down a few answers as they occur to you. 11

12 If you re doing this workshop with others, spend a few minutes sharing two things from your PlaySheet answers with a partner or with the whole group. Playsheet #1 Getting To Know You! Today s date Passions that you celebrate: When have you done collage in the past? 12

13 What kinds of soul work have you done in the past? When and where do you feel closest to Spirit? Is there anything inside of you that is asking for change? What kind of change? Affirmations to Hold In Your Heart Print this page and post it somewhere near where you ll be working. I can t stress these guidelines enough. Imagine each one of them as lifesavers thrown to you when you start to hear yourself thinking negative, self-limiting thoughts such as I can t do this, or I don t think I m doing this right. I allow myself to have fun as I make my cards. I trust the process of SoulCollage. 13

14 I let go of self-judgment. Everyone is an artist,including me. I have all of the answers inside of me. I can choose to go as deep as I want with this process. There is no right way to do this. Each inner part of me has something of value to share. Adapted with permission from Noelle Remington, CPC, Life Doula Arts, Creative Life Coaching and SoulCollage Workshops , Noelle@lifedoula.com, A Few More Words Before We Begin SoulCollage is a highly individual process, so please do it how YOU feel comfortable doing it. Some people enjoy solitude while they learn about SoulCollage and like to create the cards alone; some prefer to do it with friends. 14

15 Some do it in total silence, some enjoy soft music; others like to play Broadway musical soundtracks or Elton John or. Again, do this workshop in the way that feels right for you today. You might want to do it alone this time, then next week gather some friends together and do it in a group. Or vice versa. It s all okay. No matter what. Also, let me say this. As you re searching for images and making the cards, you might come face to face with issues that until now you ve successfully kept just under the surface of your awareness. This is okay too. However, if something comes up for you that feels scary or just too big to deal with alone, please make time to talk about it with someone. This someone can be a close friend, relative, therapist, coach, minister, priest or rabbi. Most importantly, it should be someone who feels SAFE to you, someone you trust. Getting Your Toes Wet! Warm-Ups Remember that body of water we were talking about a little while ago? Picture yourself there again. Ahhhhh.. you re going to walk right up to the edge of the water now and get your toes wet! Mmmm wriggle them around in the cool water. Feel the sand squishing up against your 15

16 foot. Or maybe you re standing on a smooth sun-warmed rock at the edge of a glassy lake. Go ahead. Dip your feet in. Feel the water. Relax. Good job! Now, let s get out of our heads and into our bodies just a little bit more. Close your eyes and take three very long, very slow deep breaths. Go ahead. The slower, the better. Breathe in compassion, breathe out self-judgment. Breathe in compassion, breathe out self-judgment. Breathe in compassion, breathe out self-judgment. Good. Whatever kind of music you enjoy, play some of it now. Look at the clock. For five minutes, I want you to move your body to that music, however you like. You might want to do a few yoga postures. You might want to just float around in space, however the spirit moves you. Then again, maybe you ve been running around all week and what your body needs most right now is NOT to move but to experience the stillness. That s okay too. Be still. Listen to your inner wisdom. Follow its lead. Let it be okay. And do it for ten minutes (or more!) if you want to. Remember, there s no right way! We re going to do a very brief I am the one who exercise, which is at the heart of the SoulCollage process. This process is explained in detail on pages of the SoulCollage book by Seena Frost. Read these pages now. 16

17 Now, pick up one of your magazines and flip through the pages. Take a few minutes and rip out a picture that you like. Try not to think about why you like it, just rip it out. If you purchased the WORKSHOP IN A BOX, you will have a file folder of images. You might want to choose one of these images for this exercise. If you re doing this alone, glue the image on the PlaySheet that follows, and write two or three I am the one who statements underneath it. If you re doing this in a group, hold up your picture and share your statements out loud, taking turns. Example: I am the one who likes to be waited on. I am the one who deserves to be pampered. I am the one who is tired. PlaySheet #2 Warming Up 17

18 Paste your magazine image here. I am the one who. Statements for above image (use back of this page if your picture is really large): Learning the Strokes- SoulCollage 18

19 Background Reading It s important for you to complete this section before you begin making your first cards. For each topic, you will be asked to read a chapter in the book SoulCollage, by Seena Frost. Read the chapter carefully, jot notes in the margins if you like, and fill in the corresponding PlaySheets thoughtfully. Introduction/Overview Please begin by reading the Introduction (pages xi xiii). Then read Chapter 1 (pages 1-2). Next read Chapter 3 (pages 5-6) for an overview of the four suits. Now read Chapter 4 (pages 7 8) for a look at the Source Card. The Committee Suit 19

20 Inner Family Read Chapter 5 (pages 9 22) for a detailed look at the Committee Suit, then complete the PlaySheet that follows. NOTES: 20

21 PlaySheet #3 Namiug Your Committee Look at the list of possible Committee Members on page 18. Jot down at least 10 that you know are inside of you. Look back at PlaySheet #1. Rewrite your Passions That I Celebrate list here. Name 5 things that you like about yourself. Name 5 things that get in the way of liking yourself more. What are some good qualities that your friends would identify in you?

22 Name 2 people you admire and want to be more like. What is it about them that you value? Each quality you have written is one of your inner voices. Even the "dark ones." Even the qualities you admire in someone else! You don't have to like them for them to be a part of you. Take another look at what you ve written on PlaySheet #3. Some of the voices on your list are clearly positive. Some are more neutral. And some may seem negative and bothersome. This is all okay! They are each a part of you and they all need to be heard. A few of them may seem to be dominant, the ones who are continually "running the show." Others may be living on the fringes, unable to speak, silenced and hidden in the shadows. Remember that each part of you wants to be seen, heard, named and honored. Making a SoulCollage card for each of them is a most powerful way to do this. Spend only a few more minutes with this list, and know that it is not final. It is the beginnings of a list of Committee members for your SoulCollage deck. 22

23 Embracing All of the Inner Voices Every day there are all kinds of "committee meetings" going on inside our heads (and sometimes even while we sleep!). The beauty of SoulCollage is that it helps us to identify, embrace, and pay attention to these inner voices. I have found that simply noticing a voice (especially a shadowy voice that doesn't seem to like me) diminishes its power over me. For instance, I usually have a difficult time getting through Mother's Day because I don't have children of my own, and my three stepchildren usually honor their mother rather than me on that day. This Mother's Day was especially difficult because my own mother had recently passed away. I awakened in the morning to a cacophony of inner voices that seemed like they were literally trying to tear me apart. The Grieving Self ("I miss my mother, and "I feel sad that I don t have children."), the Inner Critic ("You must have been a bad stepmother if those kids don't even give you a card on Mother's Day."). Heck, the Inner Critic was even yapping at me about my weight issues! self. So I went to my deck of cards, determined to do some journaling with these voices that were hurtful to me, these voices that were taking me away from my own authentic, best 23

24 What happened was this. I found the cards that represented these shadowy parts of me. BUT while I was flipping through my cards looking for them, I also came across the brighter voices within me: the nurturing mother, the joyful one, the divine mother, the teacher, and the writer. This was a major revelation to me! Yes, I was hearing loudly from some powerful shadowy inner voices, but as I was looking at my SoulCollage cards, I realized that those dark voices were just a few parts among many other parts. In realizing this, something inside of me shifted and I came to a deeper balance. Mother's Day was still difficult for me, but I was more centered and grounded as I was able to remember and also give voice to the inner voices that represent the lighter, brighter parts of my Self. 24

25 The Community Suit Local Allies Read Chapter 6 (pages 23 32) in the book for a detailed look at the Community Suit. NOTES: 25

26 PlaySheet #4 Naming Your Community Here are some questions that will help you begin to make a list of possible Community cards for inclusion in your SoulCollage deck. Try not to think too hard, just write whoever comes to mind. You don t have to make a card for everyone you put on this list. The questions are just to get you started. Note: It s okay to put the same name on more than one list! Look at the questions on page 28 of the SoulCollage book. Write the names of any people who come to mind as you answer these questions. 26

27 Name 3 people who make you feel appreciated and special. Name 3 people you would want on your team if you were a Survivor contestant. Are there any authors, musicians, artists, or actors whose work has touched you during your life? If there are, add them to the list. Are there any religious figures who have special meaning in your life? Name them. Think of all the groups that you have belonged to on your life s journey. Name a few that really made a difference in your life. 27

28 The Companions Suit Animal Guides Read Chapter 7 (pages 33 42) in the book for a detailed look at the Companions Suit. Don t feel that you absolutely have to do the guided meditation right now as scripted in the book. You can save this for a later time. You also might want to purchase the audiotape: Introduction to SoulCollage with Seena Frost, where Seena leads the guided meditation on Side 2. 28

29 NOTES: PlaySheet #5 Naming Your Companion Animals Did you try the Guided Meditation in the book? If so, write down the name of the animal you saw in your imagination, what chakra it belonged to, and what this animal wanted to say to you. Date: 29

30 Animal: Chakra: What I have to say to you is this: What I have to give you is this: What I want from you is this: If you did not do the guided meditation yet, simply jot down the names of a few animals that you have been drawn to in your life. I m not speaking of pets, but of animals in general (ie: Squirrel, Leopard, Giraffe, Elephant etc.). 30

31 If you re having trouble with this PlaySheet, don t worry! There will be plenty of time for exploring the Companions Suit later. The Council Suit Archetypes and Spiritual Guides Read Chapter 8 (pages 43 58) in the book for a detailed look at the Council Suit. 31

32 NOTES: PlaySheet #6 Naming Your Council 32

33 Use the list on page 48 of the SoulCollage book to begin a list of archetypes that you feel are or have been present in your life. Another valuable resource in thinking about the active achetypes in your life is Carolyn Myss website. Take a look at the Gallery of Archetypes, which contains names and descriptions for 70 different archetypes. Please remember that this is not a definitive list, but something to get you thinking about it. When you notice some that you relate to, write them on this page. Note: If you find this concept difficult to grasp right now, don t worry. The archetypes will reveal themselves to you, one by one, as you make your cards intuitively. Neters 33

34 Read Chapter 2 (pages 3 4) in the SoulCollage book for information on Neter and Neters. Read Chapter 9 (pages 59 64) in the SoulCollage book for information on the shadow side of neters. Notes: Read article: The One and the Many by Seena Frost 34

35 PlaySheet #7 Working with the Neters 1. How do you feel about recognizing the shadowy parts of yourself and honoring them with SoulCollage cards? 2. From your reading, what is the value of doing this? 3. Fill in the chart below as best you can. I have left a few spaces empty for you to fill in with some of your own neters that you are aware of at this time. The first one is done for you. NETER BRIGHT SIDE SHADOWY SIDE CRITIC good at editing goes overboard with self-criticism GOOD MOTHER HERO WARRIOR ARTIST 35

36 Break Time! Okay, you ve been doing a lot of reading, writing, and head work. Now it s time to get out of your head and into your body for a few minutes! Put aside these pages and stand up. Shake out your hands, your elbows, your wrists. Make some slow circles with your head and neck. Lift up your left leg, point and flex your foot, and shake out the whole leg. Do the same on the right side. If you feel like it, put on some slow and easy music (or loud and jazzy if you prefer!) and move to it. You might want to sit or lie on the floor and practice deep belly breaths. Whatever you do with this break time, let it be your choice. Let it be something that rejuvenates you and brings you back into your body. 36

37 Making SoulCollage Cards Read Chapter 10 (pages 65 72) in the SoulCollage Book. Notes: 37

38 Splashing Around In the Pool Ahhh here it is! The part you ve been waiting for! It s time to get in the water and start to swim! Ahem. You know I m speaking metaphorically, right? In this section you ll be doing two things: gathering images, and making at least one SoulCollage card. Try to allow at least an hour for going through your magazines and gathering images, and another 1 2 hours for making your first cards. The most important thing to remember is to Honor Your Own Process. So... please keep in mind while you are reading the steps below that they are only guidelines. Feel free to deviate from them at any time and in any way! And don t forget to HAVE FUN!!! 38

39 Image Gathering And SoulCollage Card Making Step-by-Step Instructions 1. Clear a workspace for yourself. Be sure you have enough room for all of your materials as well as space to spread out your images. 2. Create sacred space for your SoulCollage work by lighting a small candle and/or putting on some soft music that delights your soul. 3. Gather your materials and put them on the table in front of you. You should have the following: a few pieces of 5 x 8 mat board, a pair of scissors, an acid-free glue stick or jar of rubber cement (acid-free, of course!), your frame, and a stack of magazines. 39

40 4. Spend a generous amount of time (at least one hour) going through the magazines. Tear out any images that you like, that seem to appeal to you for ANY REASON. Don t question WHY you might be drawn to the images. Simply rip them out of the magazines! 5. It will be helpful to have some large images that completely fill the frame, and smaller ones as well. You can use the larger ones for backgrounds. 6. After you ve done this for about an hour, you should have images torn out. 7. Take a few deep breaths and pause for a moment. Give yourself a little space. Drink some water or make a cup of tea if you like. 8. Spread the images out around you as much as you can. Gather them into smaller piles, sorting them by colors, energies, themes, or patterns. For instance, you might notice that you have lots of images of stairways, or windows, or birds, or people who are frowning. You might have several images that show a great deal of movement/action, or stillness. You might see several images that just seem to go together for some reason. You don t need to verbalize a reason for grouping some images together. Remember: trust the process. There is no right way to do this!!! 9. When you have a few different piles sorted by theme, choose one of them. Choose the theme that intrigues you the most. Or choose the pile of images that you already know the meaning of. It doesn't matter which pictures you work with first. Just choose some so you can begin to make your first card. 10. Push the rest of the images aside or put them in a folder or other storage device. Move them off of your workspace so they don t distract you. 40

41 9. Start playing around with the images that you have chosen. Lay them on top of one another, or beside each other. Arrange and rearrange them until you come to a layout that you like. Trust your intuition. You will know when it looks right. Use the Frame if you like so that you can see how it will look on the card. 10. When the images are arranged just right, you can glue them onto a piece of 5" x 8" mat board. If you are using the Frame, you might want to mark the corners of the images in the upper right and left, and lower right and left corners of the frame, to make placement more easy for you. 11. If you have a brayer, use it to smooth out the images. 12. There! You have made your first SoulCollage card! 13. Now you might want to go ahead and make another one. Or two or three or? The next step is to do the I am the one who exercise with one of your cards to deepen your experience with it, and to begin to integrate its meaning into your life. 41

42 But first, we pause here to express our gratitude to the many photographers, artists, and graphic artists whose images are leadiug us to new insights and discoveries 42

43 on our SoulCollage journey to wholeness. Thank you! Everyone Out of the Pool! (Interpreting a SoulCollage Card) I know, I know! You were probably having so much fun ripping out images and making cards that you didn t want to stop! That s okay. You can go back and make more anytime you want. 43

44 Now it s time to go a little deeper into the process by interpreting one of your SoulCollage cards using the I AM THE ONE WHO EXERCISE Read pages in the SoulCollage book for a brief introduction to this exercise. Doing the Exercise Alone: You will need some paper and a pen or pencil for this part of the process. OR you will need a tape recorder to speak into. Gather these first. Light a small candle if you like. This will help to create sacred space for your inner work. Turn on some soft music if you find it relaxing. Or you might enjoy doing this in complete silence. What matters is that you decide. Begin by taking a few deep breaths. Stretch and move for a few minutes. It's time (once again) to get out of your head and into your body. If you have made more than one SoulCollage card, choose the one you want to work with first. You might choose the one that perplexes you the most, the one you love the most, or just choose randomly. It doesn t matter where you start. Look at this card for a moment. Really, really look at it. Admire it. Hold it to your heart and bless it if you like. It is a beautiful expression of some part of your self. Honor it. Respect it. 44

45 You re going to use your imagination for this next part. Pretend that you are actually entering the image. Become the main figure in the image. Even if it s a flower, or a tree, or a big yellow box. Become it. You are going to speak as if you are the image. If you are doing this exercise in writing, write the words I am the one who on PlaySheet #8 (page ) and then finish the sentence as if you are the image, reporting back to you. Continue this process until you feel as if you have run out of things to say. You might have 40 sentences or more. You might only have 3, or any number in between. The quantity of I am the one who statements doesn t matter. What matters is that you have said all that needs to be said about this card. If you are doing this exercise using a tape recorder, speak the I am the one who statements into the microphone, continuing as many times as needed until you feel that there is nothing left to say. Continue this exercise, either on the PlaySheet or using the tape player, with the following questions: 1. What do you have to give me? 2. What do you want from me? 3. Is there anything else you want to tell me? 4. How will I remember? 45

46 Take a few more deep breaths and do some movement if you need to get back out of your head and into your body. By now you will have a better idea of what this SoulCollage card is all about. Keep your writing in a safe place. If you are using a tape player, you might want to play it back and transcribe your words into your journal or a special notebook that will hold your card interpretations. You can choose to do this exercise with another card (if you ve made more than one) or you might decide you ve had enough for today. Either way, make it your choice. Example of the I AM THE ONE WHO EXERCISE: 46

47 Who are you? I am the one who enjoys laying around, doing nothing. I am the one who enjoys resting. I am the one who knows when to rest. I am the one who can sit for hours and do nothing. I am the one who rests with abandon. I am the one who enjoys the pleasures of rest. What do you have to give me? I gve you the knowledge that resting is ok. I give you time and wisdom to know when to rest. I give you pleasure when you rest. I give you permission to rest. What do you want from me? I want you to rest when you're tired, and to enjoy resting. I want you to not feel bad or guilty when you choose to rest. I want you to take pleasure in resting, in doing nothing. I want you to know it's a blessing to rest, a necessity, a blessed necessity. I want you to stop thinking that you have to always be DOING something and focus instead on BEING. 47

48 Is there anything else you'd like to say to me? Just to remind you to sit on the front porch once in a while and watch the clouds go by. Or to let Sasha sit on your lap tonight while you read a book. There are many ways of resting. How will I remember? You will remember when you see this card, when you see the clouds in the sky, when you see a curtain rippling in the breeze. PlaySheet #8 I am the one who.. 1. Who are you? 48

49 2. What do you have to give me? 49

50 3. What do you want from me? 4. Is there anything else you want to tell me? 50

51 5. How will I remember? Doing the Exercise With a partner: You will need some paper and a pen or pencil for this part of the process. Gather these before you begin. Light a small candle to create sacred space. Turn on some relaxing music if you and your partner both want to. Or the two of you might decide to simply relax into the silent space you ve created. Begin by taking a few deep breaths. 51

52 Stretch and move for a few minutes if you like. It's time to get out of your head and into your body. Choose one of your SoulCollage cards to work with first. You might choose the one that perplexes you the most, the one you love the most, or just choose randomly. It doesn t matter where you start. Look at this card for a moment. Really, really look at it. Admire it. Hold it to your heart and bless it if you like. It is a beautiful expression of some part of your self. Honor it. Respect it. You re going to use your imagination for this next part. Pretend that you are actually entering the image. Become the main figure in the image. Even if it s a flower, or a tree, or a big yellow box. Become it. You are going to speak as if you are the image. Say out loud I am the one who and finish this sentence as if you were the central image in your card. Say it as many times as you like (each time with a different ending), until you feel that you have no more to say. Your partner writes down everything you say so that you will have a record of it afterwards. Continue this exercise by asking each of the following questions of the image/card, and then saying the answers out loud: 1. What do you have to give me? 2. What do you want from me? 3. Is there anything else you want to tell me? 4. How will I remember? Take your time! If you have long pauses between your sentences, that s okay, but say whatever comes to mind. Don t worry if what you re saying makes sense, or whether it sounds profound or silly. It is what it is. 52

53 When you are done, ask your partner to read your words back to you. Sometimes new insight is gained as you hear your statements in someone else s voice. Also, at this time, your partner can give you feedback if you want it. Take a few more deep breaths and do some movement if you need to get back out of your head and into your body. By now you will have a better idea of what this SoulCollage card is all about. Keep your writing in a safe place. Now it s time for you and your partner to switch places. This time YOU are going to write down her I am the one who statements about her SoulCollage card, as well as her answers to the other questions. Read them back to her when she is finished, and if you have insights to add, do so at this time if she is open to this. Gallery Walk If you are doing this SoulCollage workshop with others, now is a good time to take a Gallery Walk. This idea was first introduced to me by my first SoulCollage Facilitator and Creativity Coach, Noelle Remington. Here are some of my suggestions on how to do a Gallery Walk: Have everyone lay out the cards that they made in today s session, then spend several minutes walking from space to space. 53

54 Let your eyes feast on the images that are before you. Remember to honor and respect everyone s work. If you would like to comment on someone s card or cards, it s a good idea to ask them first if they would like your feedback. If you do offer feedback to someone, try to be sure you are describing and reflecting what you see in the images, and that you are framing your words with I statements. (For example, I feel so serene when I m looking at your cards, or I see a lot of movement and transition in your cards is more helpful to the artist than, These are so beautiful! or I love this one! ) You might also want to consider taking this Gallery Walk in complete silence. This is a powerful experience as well, but in a different way. You ll be amazed at how much more you ll absorb if you don t feel like you have to say something every few seconds! PlaySheet #9 Drying Off (Integrating Today s Experience) Now it s time to make the transition from a wonderful workshop back into reality! 54

55 You have warmed up, gotten your toes wet, learned the strokes, jumped in and splashed around! It s time now to sit on the shore, dry yourself off, and think about what you want to take home with you from this SoulCollage adventure. If you re working with a group, you might want to simply answer the two questions on this PlaySheet out loud, one at a time, starting with one swimmer (oops- participant!) and working your way around the circle. If you re working alone, take a few minutes now to jot down your answers so you can refer to this page in the future. a. What did you enjoy the most about this workshop? b. Name a word, phrase or feeling that you will take back with you from today s experience. Closing If you like, you can end the workshop by standing in a circle, holding hands or with your arms around each other. You might want to sing a simple song together. 55

56 Here are some suggestions for songs that work well as closure: It's in every one of us to be wise Find your heart, open up both your eyes We can all know everything without ever knowing why It's in every one of us, you and I It's in every one of us, we are free Find your Self, open your eyes and see We can all have everything without ever knowing how It's in every one of us, here and now. From the CD Bread for the Journey- Shaina Noll Return again, return again, Return to the land of your soul. Return to who you are, Return to where you are, Return to what you are, Born and reborn again. From the CD Songs for the Inner Child- Shaina Noll Resources Websites/Blogs on SoulCollage : 56

57 SoulCollage Online Community: SoulCollage Facilitator Training Information: Articles on SoulCollage by Seena Frost: Come Join the Dance Holidays and SoulCollage Distinctions Between the Suits 57

58 FREE Soul Songs Newsletter (monthly): A delightful smorgasbord of SoulCollage art, words, and things of the spirit. KaleidoSoul Kindred Spirits Membership: A weekly newsletter- Soul Treasures big discounts on all SoulCollage e-books & e-courses, monthly SoulCollage tele-classes, a SoulCollage audio library, and more! Click here for more information. 58

59 Websites for Art Supplies: Pre-Cut Mat board 59

60 Books on SoulCollage : Press CTRL key and click on book image to purchase now! Books/E-courses on Creativity: The Artist s Way- Julia Cameron Sark s Creative Companion- SARK Gentle Reminders-Refilling Your Artist s Well- Anne Marie Bennett Books on Intuition: You Already Know What to Do- Sharon Franquemont Connections- Gabrielle Roth 60

61 Books/E-courses on the Inner Voices (Committee Suit): Embracing Your Inner Critic- Hal & Sidra Stone Journal of Inner Dialogue- Carolyn Myss Journey to the Center of YOUR Universe: A Guided Exploration of the Committee Suit- Anne Marie Bennett Books on Animal Totems (Companions Suit): Totems- Brad Steiger Animal Speak- Ted Andrews Animal Wisdom- Susie Green Animal Messages (card deck)- Susie Green CD s on the 7 Chakras (Companions Suit): Light Music to Clear and Align the Chakras- Richard Shulman Chakra Suite- Steven Halpern Books/Cards on Archetypes (Council Suit): Carolyn Myss Archetype Cards Sacred Contracts- Carolyn Myss 61

62 CD s for Creating Sacred Space: The Essence- Deva Premal Sanctum Sanctuorum- Constance Demby Returning- Jennifer Berezan Sacred Movement- Various Artists Thank You! I would like to take a moment to thank you again for purchasing this e-workshop and for giving yourself the gift of several hours of creative, sacred time to discover SoulCollage. Please feel free to me annemarie@kaleidosoul.com if you have any questions or comments on this e-workshop or the process of SoulCollage. I am dedicated to making these experiences as positive, fun, and enjoyable as possible and am grateful for your assistance as I continue to create new e-workshops and e-books. 62

63 You might want to consider joining KaleidoSoul Kindred Spirits, our fast-growing membership of SoulCollagers! Benefits include: a weekly newsletter- Soul Treasures, 50% discounts on all SoulCollage e-books and e-courses in the KaleidoSoul Shop, monthly tele-classes, a SoulCollage audio library, and much more. For more details, click here. I wish you peace and joy on your journey! Anne Marie Bennett Feedback Form Please click here to give us your feedback on this e-workshop. 63

64 Thank you! 64