AREA — In the Arms of the Mothers is a healing arts experience providing space – at the Ballroom in Harrison – to contemplate what is happening in the world within a refuge of support, encouraging you to feel what comes up for you, and consciously choosing how you respond. Events in this space provide opportunities for us to express our grief, fear, longings, hopes, visions, and commitments through meditation, writing, drawing, movement, and singing, together.

Being “In the Arms of the Mothers” reminds us that every one of us was born through the body of a woman. Our mothers’ bodies cocooned us in their wombs and fed us. These “Mothers” represent different aspects of impassioned, innocent, spirited, grieving expressions of our life relationship. We are innately a part of everything on Earth and beyond. Because of that, we all feel the pain of the world, and each of our actions has an impact.

The more in touch with grief we are, the more aware of the preciousness and impermanence of life we become. The more you love people, places, and animals, the more it hurts to lose them. Being close to pain, loss, and death wakes us up to being alive, engaged, and impassioned to honor life and become the arms that tend to the world.

So many have forgotten our inherent oneness and the sacredness of life, as we have been lured by the illusion of power and control, regardless of the consequences to ourselves and the planet. It is critical to care for and nurture the health and well-being of our families, communities, and the Earth with love. We must tend to the body, emotions, and our relationships to survive and thrive and reclaim spiritual embodiment. We must wake up to the mystery and power of love as a radical act that opens the way for more possibilities.

The visual imagery sets a tone for entering into sacred space, the poetry invites a dropping into ideas, music transports the participant into songs about life, and the multiple avenues for participation including meditation cushions with questions to contemplate, a table with writing, art supplies, paper and feminine imagery coloring books inviting creative expression. All invite us to explore and express what is inspired by being “In the Arms of the Mothers”.

Events in the space

•  Sat/Sun, May 24/25, & May 31/June 1, Open 12-3 p.m.

•  Saturday, May 24, 3-5 p.m. Opening with music, poetry, and prose readings by Katey Branch, a multimedia healing artist of 40 years, shares the intention for the space.

•  Sunday, May 25, 3-5 p.m.  Community Sing, where simple, powerful songs of resistance and community building will be facilitated by Jayne Logan. Singing has been used for healing for centuries. Communal singing offers the experience of being in harmony with breath and presence with others sharing songs, invoking inspiration. Jayne has led community singing circles for 10 years. She finds joy in welcoming all voices to the circle by teaching songs in a call-and-response style.

•  Wed. 28, 5:30 p.m. & Thur. 29, 11 a.m. Yoga by donation. Open to all. Bring a mat. Confirm attendance at 207-890-9622

•  Saturday, May 31, 10 a.m. 5 Rhythms Dance wave led by Kari Luehmans. Rooted in ancient traditions, communal dance invites individuals to connect to their bodies and music to move freely in a transformative experience. Kari is grateful to practice and teach this profound form of movement medicine since completing her training with Gabrielle Roth in 2005. She teaches primarily in Maine and has taught at Dance New England, OMEGA, Maui, and Earthdance. $25 Register on Venmo@Kari-Luehman

•  Sunday June 1, 3-5 p.m. Community Sharing: come see what was inspired by “In the Arms of the Mothers”, sign up to share at 207-890-9622 if you like, and take seeds of intentions and visions to plant.