The Channel: ritual gathering for artists (online event)

There was this old idea that what we call “the real world” is just the front of the world, and the real, real world is everything else: the other world, the world behind the front of the world.

And when trouble has permeated every aspect of the front of the world, the only way to find healing, unity, and inspired ideas is to go to the reality behind the front of the world, to go to the other world.

—Michael Meade

Why now?

Beloved artists, writers, musicians, creators — trouble has permeated the front of the world.

But do you feel it too, percolating everywhere? A premonition that what we’re in isn’t merely a collapse, but a profound restructuring?

I believe artists are here on earth to channel visions that the collective desperately needs.

Visions of how we heal,
how we love,
how we remember what’s sacred,
how we get in right relationship with change,
with beauty,
with one another,
and with earth.

What is this gathering?

The Channel is a vision that’s been coming into form for a while now.

About a year ago, my friend and collaborator Hannah Sadtler introduced me to the phrase “the technology of the circle” — which is a way of talking about what happens when humans gather, and sit in a circle together, and open ourselves to collective intelligence beyond what any of us could hold alone.

In a circle, there is no hierarchy.

No one’s voice counts more, or less, than anyone else’s.

In a circle, we open to magic. Profound transformations and insights come through in circles.

And I want to sit in circle with you — with us — as artists.

Because I think we have things we need to discover together that we cannot discover alone.

Who is this for?

The Channel is a gathering for self-identifying artists of all disciplines. (Writers, musicians, dancers, visual artists, performing artists.) If you have a creative practice — even one that’s been sporadic or languishing at times, but remains important to you — you’ll feel at home here.

This gathering is about faith that we are part of a much greater ocean of change. That what we do as artists matters — perhaps more than we fully understand, yet.

If you have questions (and sometimes doubts and fears) about whether your work matters, what the point of making art even is when the world is on fire, or whether there’s enough time or resources for you to make your art, bring all of it. You’re not alone, and we’ll find courage and inspiration together.

If you’re someone who is open to mysticism, and curious about how to open yourself to Source and call in deeper, bolder work — because you have a sense you’re capable of even more than you’re currently doing — you will be supported here.

What to expect

We will be exploring ritual space together. What does that mean in this context?

The oldest root of the word ritual can be traced to the sanskrit root “rta,” which is the principle of natural order which coordinates the universe. (The word “artist” can be traced to this same root.)

In our circle ritual, we will be remembering, on purpose, our connection to the order (and the mysteries) which coordinate the universe.

We will invite ourselves to step out of linear time and into a timeless presence.

You don’t need any particular background or belief system to be welcome here — you just need to be curious about listening deeply, to yourself and to others.

Offered by donation

All circles are offered by donation, and no one turned away for lack of funds. This is a heart-based offering, and it is also part of my livelihood. I trust in the ways we can mutually support one another. Many of us have seasons of life when we feel more or less able to share financial abundance. My hope is that you’ll feel welcome here no matter what season you’re in.

When you register, you’ll have the option to include a donation via Eventbrite, or to donate at the event (cash or Venmo).

Suggested donation $15-35.

Schedule

6 - 6:15 - arrival & welcome
6:15 - doors close; no latecomers after this time
6:15 - 6:30 - introductions to one another and the practice
6:30 - 6:45 - guided somatic meditation & theme
6:45 - 7:45 - ritual circle
7:45 - 8:00 - ritual closing

You are welcome to leave at 8:00, or stay and visit informally after the circle closes. The container will end at 8:30.

The power of circle

We come together because it’s possible that the precise question you are wrestling with is the key to unlocking someone else’s next answer.

We come together because it’s possible that the gears that have been quietly turning in you will click their next notch, and you’ll leave knowing how to take the next step towards something you’d been hovering on the cusp of for months.

We come together because we need to be seen, and we need to be loved.

The more we genuinely understand this -- that each of us is needed, that we are stronger together, and that there is truly room for all of us to become our most vibrant selves in the future we’re dreaming together — the faster we channel the Otherworld into this one.

Here’s to doing it together.