Council of All Beings

Giving Voice to the Voiceless

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Email me if you’d like me to facilitate a council for your group or conference.

Thanks to all who participate in creating a more peaceful planet!

Once upon a time, people on the earth lived with a respect and a reverence for all of life. It was not such a human-centric planet, and it was assumed that all creatures had the fundamental right to enjoy life for their own sake, not simply for what they could supply to humans. Animals and the natural world were recognized as kin.

During these times, whenever an important decision had to be made, a council was called and someone was designated to speak for any being who would be affected in this way. Tree’s interest was represented, as was Wolf, River, Bison, Raven, Eagle. Each had an equal voice and vote on the council.

Unfortunately, this sense of interconnection and kinship has been lost in our current society. It’s time to change that.

Scholars and poets like Thomas Berry encourages us to break free from our culture’s anthropocentrism and reclaim our place in the web of life.

The powers that shape the bodies and minds of all of life connect us to every living being. The ability to understand, empathize with and speak for the creatures of Earth, is essential to our survival.

Participating in a Council of All Beings is a powerful way to take a stand for all of Life. Too often we complain and feel hopeless about what we don’t want in the world as we see things we love being destroyed. This is a chance to stand FOR something.

Only after the last tree has been cut down. Only after the last river has been poisoned. Only after the last fish has been caught, only then will you find that money cannot be eaten.

– Cree Indian Prophecy

Why should I join a Council of All Beings?

This is a powerful ceremony to stand in support for all of life
To be a voice for the voiceless
To not stand by helplessly as the natural world is decimated around us
To actively give the natural world the reverence it deserves
To co-create something beautiful with other connected humans
To step into the mystery and, with humility and awe, use your power to create the more compassionate world we know is possible
To drop out of your head and into your heart

Why Now?

Throughout history, ceremonies have played important roles in society. In this time of climate crisis, in the midst of a mass extinction, with our planet in peril on so many levels, we need a return to a more humble and interconnected worldview.

Why You?

As the Hopi said,

“We are the ones we’ve been waiting for. Do not look outside yourself for your leader.”

Let’s stand for peace together. There is power in community!

How Does it Work?

Each person represents a different animal or aspect of the natural world. There will be 2 rounds. In the first round, each person will speak on behalf of the animal or element, giving voice to how they are feeling about the world from that being’s perspective; a sort of truth and reconciliation. This can feel like a mourning or grieving, but it is an honoring and act of love to turn towards the issue and see it clearly, not distracting ourself from the truth.

The second part of the council is an exercise of dreaming big dreams on behalf of that animal or element, holding space for miracles and healing to happen. If we can’t dream it, we can’t achieve it. This is a collective heart-storming of seeing the more beautiful world we know is possible.

We need people to be compassionate witnesses to the process, holding space for the magic to happen and helping to dream the new world into being.

A Council of All Beings is, above all, an act of love, a sacred event, a data point of light and hope.

Your presence, attention and kind-hearted intentions are all that are needed.

Leave feeling moved, inspired, empowered and more deeply connected to all of life.

Let’s do it!

This last council was described as: “profound, heart-opening, hopeful, beautiful, amazing, humbling, overwhelming, unforgettable.”

“You inspire us, educate us and encourage us to be change agents for a better world. It doesn’t get any better than that!”
~P.M., Council Member

“After processing all the emotions and wisdom of the council, I feel more alive and capable of making change!”
J.S., Council member

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“We patronize the animals for their incompleteness, for their tragic fate of having taken form so far below ourselves. And therein we err, and greatly err.

For the animal shall not be measured by man.

In a world older and more complete than ours, they are more finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear.

They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other Nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendour and travail of the earth.”

~Henry Beston

May all beings benefit from our coming together,

💛 Erin

When the blood in your veins returns to the sea, and the earth in your bones returns to the ground, perhaps then you will remember that this land does not belong to you, it is you who belong to this land.

~Native American saying