February News
Dear Friends of Earth & Soul,
My friend is a teacher in Minneapolis, MN and many of her students are not coming to class. They are home with the doors locked, living in fear. After school and on weekends she grocery shops and delivers food to their homes, helps pay rent, and even does laundry if needed. Now her family and friends are sending her money so she can continue to support her students. Sometimes what we are being called to do is the most basic of things, to meet the needs right in front of us, to be part of something bigger than us.
We are witness to more than we are able to take in these days. A sense of overwhelm at the violence we are seeing and experiencing in our communities, the treatment of neighbors as other rather than our brothers and sisters, and a complete lack of compassion for humanity and Earth. Enough! When we don’t know what to do next let us pause and look at what is right in front of us. What can I choose in this moment that invites wellness? In what ways can I speak up and act with compassion? These are questions we must each ask ourselves and ask together in community. And we must keep asking and acting until there is a shift in the wellbeing of all people and the wellbeing of Earth.
In his book The Great Search, John Philip writes:
“Julian of Norwich is a messenger of wellness to us. She invites us to seek it now and to know that the wellness of the part and the wellness of the whole belong inseparably together. She calls us to look suffering in the face, to feel it and name it, and to ground our hope for healing in the love-longings of the Spirit deep within us, love for those we cherish, love for Earth, love for all. For it is together that we shall be well.”
Together let us look suffering in the face. And collectively let us act with compassion.
If you would like to join us in community this February there are two more opportunities to do so. We will be in St. Helena, CA February 13-15 and in Seattle, WA February 20-22. We invite you to join us for a time of teaching, spiritual practice, and asking how this translates into compassionate action in our lives and world. These offerings as well as the online and in person offerings for April and May are listed below. The additional growing list of 2026 and 2027 retreats, pilgrimages and events are listed on our Events Page.
Let us pray for wellness for one another, for our communities, for our nation and for our world.
As a wounded creature longs for healing
so my soul longs to be well
and for all to be well
healing for Earth
justice for the creatures
and peace of the human family
that we may live together on Earth the promise of Heaven.
-John Philip Newell
The Great Search
May our every day actions and words bring wellness. Thank you for being part of the Earth & Soul community.
Peace,
Cami Twilling
Director, Earth & Soul