The Power of Silence & Reconnecting with Nature with Paula Mallis

I had the pleasure of sitting down with Paula Mallis at her ranch in Ojai, California where we delve into conversation on the spiritual process of cycles (or circles) and being in communion with nature. As you tune in, you may hear us sipping tea or a bird chirping overhead in the old oak trees. This episode feels special as were fully immersed in the natural soundscape of her property.Paula explains that circles create movement, as there is no definitive beginning or end. In her work as a circle facilitator, she takes participants through a four part process: Invitation: The initiation into a new perspective or way of being.Purification: The process of clearing out anything that no longer serves you.Integration: Observing how things feel and a chance to reconfigure, as you bring more awareness into this process.Completion: The death of a cycle; experiencing a sense of resolution and coming to your own conclusion.Paula believes that these four steps are the pillars of a cycle and offer us the opportunity of healing. We talk about how people often can get stuck in one of the steps. For example, some people spend their whole lives in an invitation. Or how someone can become addicted to fixing oneself in the purification process. Paula describes that it is also possible to experience two steps, for example an invitation and a completion, at the same time. The circle is constantly moving and it is up to the individual to go deeper in understanding one’s process in order to take responsibility.She also shares about her recent reconnection with horses and how being in the company of horses has given her the chance to unlearn that which no longer serves her. What is really striking to me is Paula’s ability to explain the importance of making self honoring choices, and how we cannot truly be in service to others if we do not make decisions that are rooted in our wellbeing.Since MOTHERLANDS is a podcast that honors the Mother in her infinite forms, I ask Paula about her experience of becoming a mother and how her perspective of motherhood has shifted over time.This photograph of Paula was taken on medium format film by Matt Bockal.If you are interested in learning more about Paula, please visit her website. 2:17 The power of silence and reconnecting with nature10:02 Paula’s journey with horses12:28 Dealing with childhood shame and unlearning your way through resistance18:52 Paula’s evolution of understanding motherhood20:29 The connection between birth work, cycles, and understanding death23:16 Getting stuck in a cycle of purification25:26 The energy of control27:12 Invitations in Paula’s life28:13 Permission30:19 Integration + self-honoring choices32:30 birth work and motherhood38:24 Reclaiming your space and honoring the space betweenThank you for being here. Please remember to like and leave a review as this makes it easier for people to find us.Use code MOTHERLANDS to receive 20% off your first order of Perelel Vitamins.If you happen to know someone that works with a brand or company that shares a similar ethos of providing deeper and more comprehensive care to women and mothers and who might be open to supporting the MOTHERLANDS Podcast, we would love to chat! You can email [email protected] can connect with our host, Keely Semler, MPH, CD here or by visiting her website. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keelysemler.substack.com/subscribe