BLACK WISDOM CIRCLE

Please enjoy these Emotional Wisdom Cards practices:

May you occupy spaces that celebrate your worthiness, power, contribution and beauty!

Always thinking of you, until we come to sit in the circle once again,

“Ruth and I are putting BWC live sessions on hold for now as we all turn our hearts and minds to the unfolding of critical events in our nation’s history--and future.  We look forward to sitting in the circle again.”

—SYDNEY

Ruth and I will be offering/continuing this series, using Ruth’s Emotional Wisdom Cards. Below is a message from Ruth… Sign up & Join In!

—SYDNEY

Greetings friend,

I’ve been thinking about us as Black contemplatives, and as I hold you in the light of compassion and gratitude, I can feel the wisdom of Blackness through our bravery and trepidation, perseverance and doubt, creativity and fatigue, and generosity and isolation. 

It has been my experience that we need guidance in remembering and reminding ourselves that we belong to each other, and that what we need most is what we can only give each other. And we deserve a simple and sacred way to know each other, to ripen, and to cherish each other as we continue to do the work that must be done for past, present, and future generations. 

For this reason and more, I’m hosting an on-line series: The Black Wisdom Circle, using the structure of The Emotional Wisdom Cards - a 50-card deck of questions and affirmation, organized in five categories: Memories, Challenges, Disappointments, Happiness, and Legacy.

Our Process: 

• Prior to attending each session, participants select a card from their Emotional Wisdom Card deck. The question on the card is to be contemplated prior to attending the Zoom call. Our experience is enriched when we reflect on the question in advance.

• We begin by using poetry and other wisdom teachings to entry, settling, and connect.

• Participants are then put into random small groups to share their card reflection. This is a sharing and listening Circle, not a problem solving or confrontation circle. You must participate via video on Zoom – no audio only will be allowed.

• The small groups end with each person sharing the Affirmation on their Emotional Wisdom card or expressing their own blessing to members in their small group.

• We end in our large group, settling in mind and body and in appreciation of the insights received.

• This process is repeated for week.  

Note: If you do not have the Emotional Wisdom Cards, a question will be offered at the beginning of each session for you to reflect on in your small group.

The Intent: 

• To witness and share the weight of our emotional conditioning;

• To recognize our tenderness and strength in each other’s stories;

• To purify our mind through collective vulnerability and compassion;

• To celebrate our resilience and affirm our innate wisdom;  

• To reimagine and refresh our purpose;  

• To gift each other the privilege of our time and wise attention;  

• To enjoy each other’s company.

The Dates:

Six weekly, 90-minute Zoom sessions held on Tuesdays from 12-2PM Pacific Time / 3-5pm Eastern Time:  

• October 27

• November 10

• November 17

• November 24

• December 1

• December 8

Cost: Sliding Scale: $75 - $125 - $160, plus 3% for credit card processing fees for the 6-week series plus purchase of The Emotional Wisdom Cards

Sign-up: If you are interested in joining, sign up now and we will send you an official registration and payment forms in September