Inner Journeys
       with Anne Marie Bennett

Integrating the Practice of SoulCollage Into Our Daily Lives

Beginner's Mind

I walked by the children's gym at the local YMCA the otherday and saw a group of very young children taking their first walk on a lowbalance beam.  It was hard not to seeeach of them as a brilliant metaphor for how we learn something new in manydifferent ways.

A little girl in pink tights and frilly top practically danced her way acrossthe wooden beam as if she were born doing it. A slim boy with tousled curly hair needed help the whole way, and hegladly let the teacher guide him across, holding his hands out in Tposition.  Another child pushed theteacher away when offered help, then stumbled and fell onto the bright bluefloor mat, crying.

I walked away from the gym that day, smiling inside.  It depends on what I'm learning, but I can definitelyidentify with each one of those little children.

When I first learned SoulCollage, I felt as though I were born doing it. Itfelt easy, simple, like dancing to my favorite song on the radio.  Taking Physics in my first year of collegewas way out of my realm, but I liked the professor and stayed after class formany weeks as I learned the ins and outs of a challenging topic.  Languages usually come easy to me but when Istarted Spanish class for my foreign language requirement in college, I felt likeI was a stranger in a strange land.  Istruggled and resisted and whined (and yes, I failed at first) until a friendtook pity on me and gave me some private lessons.

I've learned over the years to be gentle with myself whenever I'm starting something new.  Whether it's creating a website, or learning a new collage technique, relating to a baby or figuring out a new knitting pattern... I have found that my learning is smoother and less fraught with tension if I simply let go of my preconceived notions of how it all "should" be happening, and if I stop beating myself up for not learning quickly enough.


Reflection Activity- Take a look at your own life this week.  Are you in the process of learning something new, either at work or in your personal life?  Pay attention to the inner committee voices that come up when you are learning this new thing.  What thoughts are going through your mind as you think of succeeding, or failing?  Do you have SoulCollage cards for any of these parts?  Give one of them a voice whether you have a card for it or not.  Listen to that part's story.  Why is it intent on stopping you?  How is it helping you?  Can you also hear a different voice, a voice that is cheering you on in your quest for new learning?  Make a SoulCollage card to honor that voice as well.

Soul Friends
    The Voice of a Different Kindred Spirit Each Week


Sundari Austin
Sydney, Australia

Always trust whatyour heart knows.   --- Hafiz

Hi, my name is Sundari Austin and I live inSydney,Australia.    I first came across SoulCollage in early2006, through a link on a regular newsletter I receive.  I've always loved collage so it really got myattention.  From the moment I startedreading about SoulCollage and saw a few cards I was hooked.  I started making my own cards immediately.

 I then made arrangements to attend aworkshop in June, with Karen Mann inMelbourne,Australia, and a few months later, in September,I was inCaliforniawith Seena Frost, completing the facilitators course. What a whirlwind romanceI was having with SoulCollage.  Yes, Ifell in love, hook, line and sinker, and my card deck was on its way andgrowing fast.

 I started teaching the Soulcollageprocess a week after my return toAustralia.   I was amazed and still am, at how manydifferent selves are traveling with me on this life journey.  My cards reflect this to me in so manywonderful ways. 

I guess what I love most about SoulCollage is that it takes me deep within toreally get in touch with "the one and the many."  Since starting with this wonderful process Ihave rekindled my love of cutting and pasting and also journaling.   I am now learning a lot more about archetypalenergy, the chakras & the importance of community.   

Like any relationship, SoulCollage has many different levels.  It takes me to parts of myself that I didn'tknow existed (the shadow and the light) and allows me to get in touch withthese parts in a loving, gentle way.  

In the past year I moved back toSydneyafter living out of the city for 6 years. I'm still adjusting to city life and find solace in my daily SoulCollagecard reading.  I love to select a cardeach day and ask the question "I am one who...?"  

I have collected hundreds of images and when I am making cards I usually do itintuitively  - just allowing the creativeprocess to take over.  It always amazesme.  I haven't facilitated any groupsthis year - seems more of an inner journey I am on at the moment but I amfeeling the stirrings of my "Teacher Self" and I know I will reemerge withgreat enthusiasm to share this beautiful process with others in the nearfuture.    My advice to others is to trust in theprocess, listen, and act on the guidance. It works for me!  Enjoy.   

Here are 2 of Sundari's current favorite Soulcollage cards:




Freedom
Suit: Committee

I Am One Who breaks free from any limitations.

I Am One Who leaps forward, trusting in thenatural flow of life.

I Am One Who takes flight, free as a bird.

 
Magical Child

I Am One Who sees the magic in my life.

I Am One Who makes lots of wishes.

I Am One Who knows that "magic happens" everyday.

 




SoulCollage Expressions
  Ideas and Challenges to Spice Up Your SoulCollage Practice


Idea of the Week

Kindred Spirits Member News
     Making the Most of Your KaleidoSoul Membership

Date: Sunday, August 24, 2008

Time:
8:00 pm Eastern, 7:00 pm Central, 6:00 pm Mountain,
5:00 pm Pacific, 2:00 pm Hawaiian,
Thursday 1 a.m.. inLondon,
Thursday 2 a.m. inRome, Thursday 10 a.m. inMelbourneAustralia
and Thursday 12 noon inNewZealand

Save the datenow.

Allof our tele-classes are FR*EE for members, always!
And remember, don't worry if you can't attend...
we'll be recording it and you can listen to it anytime in your
Member's Only Audio Library.
We will give you the phone number and access code
to call in that week's issue of Soul Treasures.

September, 2008- special guest Imelda Maguire fromIreland

October, 2008- Creative Source, with Sharry Teague

November 19, 2008 (Wednesday, 9 pm EST)- Witness and Soul Essence Transpersonal Cards, with MariabrunaSirabella

December 16, 2008 (Tuesday, 8 pm EST) Eckhart Tolle's A NewEarth and SoulCollage, with FranCherlow.

April17-19, 2009 inLitchfield,Connecticut. Ifyou've been longing to take your SoulCollage practice out into the world bybecoming an "official" Facilitator, then please join us for abeautiful spring weekend at Wisdom House.  There's more information onthis KaleidoSoul page .