Episode 14: Living Gently with Yourself During Grief

In today's podcast, Dr. Jan hosts two very special guests who have been with us on the podcast before: Kelly Guest and Christine Hiester. Each is a spiritual director/companion/guide, and also a Grief Companion.Living gently with ourselves is generally not a message we receive from our modern Western culture—and this is where our conversation begins. We explore why and how we can overcome the messages to push through grief, to get over it and "back to normal" as quickly as possible. We explore ways that we can begin to live more gently with ourselves, despite what others might say or expect, and tend to our bodies, minds, emotions, and spirits in ways that foster healing. We also discuss the importance of gentle routines, grief rituals, and activities that help us be in touch with our loss (and all the feelings grief entails) while taking steps toward integration and meaning. Each of our contributors shares touching, personal stories about how she has navigated grief with more kindness toward self, through setting healthy boundaries, making loving choices, and much more. For further information on Grief Companion training, visit:https://www.GriefCompanionTraining.comAbout Our Guests:Christine Hiester is a spiritual companion, supervisor, and grief companion; a retreat leader, teacher, and creative. A native of the Christian contemplative tradition, a lover of Taoist and Buddhist practice, and deeply reverent of all wisdom traditions. Christine offers Soul Companioning, offering a place where your most authentic and whole Self has room to emerge and grow. At its most nourishing, the companioning relationship provides both a felt experience of safety and an invitation to growth, using questions, creative and contemplative practices, and a compassionate listening presence. Spiritual companionship is a form of community, a place where your soul is most welcomed, a place where relationship and awareness of Divine Compassion in daily life is nurtured. https://www.shapingtheriver.com/aboutKelly Gest is a spiritual companion/guide and a Grief Companion. Learn more about Dr. Jan Lundy at her personal website:https://www.janlundy.com/