Singing the Spiral: A Day of Work That Reconnects + Singing

At Boston-Area Singing Circles, we believe in the power of singing together to deepen connection—to ourselves, to each other, and to the Earth.

About Singing The Spiral:

This special full day gathering weaves our practice of community singing with the transformative framework of the Work That Reconnects (WTR), developed by Joanna Macy. The Work That Reconnects is an interactive group process rooted in Systems Thinking, Deep Ecology, Buddhist Teachings and the lived experience of life-time activist and recent ancestor, Joanna Macy. It offers a framework for facing the realities of our time. Rather than turning away from the pain of the world, this work helps us sustain our gaze — together. WTR provides us practices to move out of isolation, fear, and stuckness, and into the shared territory of grief, love, and greater belonging.

Through these group practices, supported by song and movement, we will journey through the four stages of the Spiral:

• Coming from Gratitude – grounding in what sustains us
• Honoring Our Pain for the World – giving voice to grief and love
• Seeing with New/Ancient Eyes – listening to our interconnection
• Going Forth – tuning into how we are called to act

In this moment in history, many of us are longing for deeper ways to lean on each other—to build collective care, courage, and meaningful action. We believe this body of work can be a vital resource within our singing community as we turn toward one another and strengthen our shared capacity to respond.

Nov. 1 lies at the seasonal mark of Samhain in Celtic tradition, and Dia De Los Muertos of Mexican and Latin American Tradition - it's said across cultures the the veil between the living and the ancestors is thin, and that this mid fall moment is a time to listen, speak, sing and dance with the ancestors.

Deep Time: Joana Macy has developed a host of practices to cultivate what she called Deep Time, an active awareness of our direct connection to those who lived before us and those who will be born after us. We will give special attention to pratices that cultivate Deep Time and our connection to those past and those to come, during this Spiral.

All voices welcome. No prior experience with the Work That Reconnects—or with singing—is needed.

About your Facilitators:

Anne Goodwin: is a life-time activitist, songleader, singer and 10-year facilitator of The Work That Reconnects.

milly roberts is a Songleader, co-creator of Boston-Area Singing Circles, music educator, wilderness guide, and WTR facilitator apprentice, supported by the mentorship of Anne.

Location: SomArt Studio, 3rd Floor of the Somerville Armory, 191 Highland Ave.

• Parking Available on-site
• Steps from 88 and 90 bus stop, 15 min walk from Porter

Bring: A water bottle and floor cushion if you’re able (we will have some)

RSVP: Regular Price is $60, with pricing tiers available for community members to pay what is feasible and generous given their circumstance. We also have 4 pay-what-you-can tickets available for those for whom the listed cost is prohibitive. Use the code "access" at checkout to reveal those tickets.