A Care Package for Messy Times

In these messy, strange times, as the world is brought to both crisis and pause, we find ourselves at a threshold. Here, on the edge of change, it can feel overwhelmingly uncertain, as if we are walking on very fragile ground. Whether in our own hearts and homes, in our communities or our wider society, we are being asked to negotiate our common space in new and unusual ways. Moving around our familiar spaces is different now. Our living room may also be a school; our bedroom, our office; our kitchen table, our new headquarters. Outside, the person walking beside us has suddenly been transformed into a threat. Navigating our street scapes can feel like we are walking on eggshells. Everything seems utterly changed.And yet, right at this threshold, falling starkly at our feet, is a series of powerful invitational questions, all about our choices and what do next: ‘Who do we want to be right now? What is this moment teaching us? What values do we want to live into from here? And how do we move onwards with this learning? These questions are being asked at the inward level, in our bodies and our own private spaces, and outwardly, as national and global communities. They are hard questions, which don’t necessarily have immediate answers, but they do bring us into a deep line of inquiry which has the possibility of shaping our collective future.(opps.. I make a little mistake in the video: Sunday Sanctuary will begin on 5th April, and not the 4th as stated)Like any great adventure, the journey or quest into this re-imagined future, requires some preparation, training and skills. Thankfully we are able to draw on a myriad of tools and practices to support us. We can turn, for instance, to the great wisdom traditions of our time to equip us with the inner resourcing of contemplative practices, meditation and spiritual guidance; we can turn to the artists, poets and writers for skills in navigating the creative process and working through the unknown; and we can turn to more contemporary designers and systems thinkers for tools to create new social and cultural paradigms. And of course, abiding and rising through it all, is the perhaps the greatest teacher of all; mother nature, who continues to carry and hold us through these times of uncertainty and rapid change. Her wisdom is ever more real and necessary.Over the coming weeks, I will be curating and creating a series of care packages which draw on these lineages and practices to help us all - including myself- navigate our way into these questions. The packages are designed as a cycle, based on a series of connecting themes. Beginning with ‘grounding’, you will be taken through a six part reflective inquiry into your own wisdom and questions, in which you will have an opportunity to pause, journal, listen inwards and think about your choices and responses as you move on from here.I will be sharing poetry salons, writing and journalling practices, nature connection exercises, readings and other resources relating to the theme each week. It is a work in progress too- I will learn from the participants and materials will evolve over the weeks ahead.In addition to the printed and audio resources, I will also be hosting two community spaces a week for the next six weeks: a weekly online poetry salon, and a weekly reflective circle, a Sunday Sanctuary, where we will have a chance to journal together, and then share our insights and discoveries.My hope is these resources and gatherings will help us to make meaning together through this messy time, and become a refuge as place to ground, and a place to grow.

The Themes:

• Week One: Grounding
• Week Two: Releasing
• Week Three: Sensing
• Week Four: Listening
• Week Five: Learning
• Week Six: Evolving

What’s included in each care package:

• A recorded meditation (10 mins).
• A guided journalling practice (10 mins).
• A poetry salon: a selection of narrated poems and some reflection questions (15 mins).
• Nature connection practice and/or contemplative practice.
• Series of links to other readings/ resources.
• A zoom link to the online Sunday Sanctuary Circle and the Poetry Salon.

 The care package and offering will no doubt evolve and change over the weeks, depending on your feedback and how the world is changing. This is a work in process!

Online Gatherings

Poetry Salons will take place every Friday 7-8pm GMT+1 (This is local time in Ireland)       Sunday Sanctuary Circle will take place every Sunday from 5th April for six weeks, 5-6pm, GMT+1 (Irish Local time)        

How I’m offering the Care Packages:

I believe that as much as this is a time for the rapid prototyping of ideas (see above!), it is also a time for radical compassion and generosity. I am offering this work out so that those who need it can access it at a low fee, and those who are in more of a financial position to support the work, will do so. It is based on the ‘honesty box system’.One of the things I love about living in West Cork is the abundance of honesty boxes. People grow their own vegetables, then leave them in little shelters by the roadside, with a box beside them, trusting that a payment will be made in exchange for the home-grown produce. There is no guarantee that this will always be honoured, but it is an invitation to trust.I have decided to offer these care packages on the same principle.So this my invitation to you to make some contribution to honour the time, skill and experience I have put into creating this- my version of home-grown produce. Your investment helps me to continue to develop my work, making it available and accessible to others.I am very aware that we are all in very different financial situations right now. If you are low on money at the moment, then offer a lower amount. If money is not such a challenge for you right now, then perhaps offer a little more. If you are unable to offer anything, please get in touch- there may be another form of exchange available. That way, we all get to support each other.If you’d like to share the care packages with others, please direct them to this page, so they can download directly.

Honesty Box Payment Process:

Step One: Pay via PayPal or RevolutMake a payment contribution via PayPal Me- the link below takes you there. Payment in multiple currencies accepted.Or you can find me on Revolut (Clare Mulvany)When you have made the payment, return to this page for step two below.

https://paypal.me/ClareMulvany

 Step Two:Once you have made a contribution… 

Your very first care package, 'Grounding' is now ready.

>> You can download from here <<

 When you click on the link the download will start automatically.  Week One: GroundingIncludes:A poetry salon with poems by Wendell Berry, David Wagoner, and myself.Finding Inner Ground- A meditation.A nature connection practice to help ground us.A ten minute guided journalling video...and more.      (*I’d like to give a big shout out to the On Being project. They released ‘A Digital Listening Care Package for Uncertain Times- a compilation of some of their interviews and resources), which inspired this project.Please share this link with others who you think will find it helpful.Thank you,Onwards, with loveClare. x