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Listening to Grief: Where Our Losses Point Us Toward Healing
(Part 2 of 2) In Part 1, we looked at how grief—both personal and collective—carries sacred information about what we're losing and what matters most. We looked at how our culture struggles to hold space for even tangible losses, let alone the perceived, energetic, and collective grief we're all carrying. We named the grief of late-stage capitalism and how the system that creates our grief also denies us time to feel it. Now, the question becomes: what (tf) do we do with all
Rev. Marshall K Hammer
Nov 114 min read
Grief as Prophecy: What Our Losses Are Trying to Tell Us
(Part 1 of 2) This two-part series explo res grief as sacred information rather than something to simply "get through." In Part 1, we'll look at what our personal and collective losses are trying to tell us. In Part 2, we'll explore how to work with grief as a teacher and guide toward healing. What if grief isn't something to get through, but something to listen to and to be guided by? Photo by Anthony Lim / Unsplash What can I say? We live in a culture that treats grief l
Rev. Marshall K Hammer
Oct 215 min read
Fourteen Years Later: A Letter to A Grieving Past Me
Content Warning: suicide loss Fourteen years ago, my world cracked open when my father died by suicide. I had just turned 27, and I...
Rev. Marshall K Hammer
Aug 275 min read
A Reiki Perspective on Being with Difficult Emotions
I thought I'd bring up something that we all experience but rarely get comfortable discussing: those big, messy, difficult emotions that...
Rev. Marshall K Hammer
May 225 min read
A Gentle Approach to Looking After Your Inner Child(ren)
With so much chaos surrounding us right now, I know that the little you inside might be totally freaking out. I've got a few inner kids,...
Rev. Marshall K Hammer
May 64 min read
Cultivating Gentleness When the World Feels Hard: Practices for Preserving Your Tender Heart
There's a particular kind of exhaustion that comes from trying to stay open-hearted when the world feels like it's constantly testing...
Rev. Marshall K Hammer
Apr 25 min read
Reconnecting After Hurricane Helene: Reaching from the Mountains to Friends Near and Far
The rhythms of life in Western North Carolina shifted dramatically when Hurricane Helene swept through our mountain community this...
Rev. Marshall K Hammer
Dec 17, 20244 min read
Prayer for the Ones in the Times
May we mourn at any time we need without resistance or judgment. May our grief refresh and grow our rooted resilience. May our tears...
Rev. Marshall K Hammer
Nov 27, 20242 min read
When the Hits Keep Coming: Navigating the Storm of Repeated Loss
It was around this time last year when I lost a close friend. The pain of that loss is still pretty fresh, a wound that hasn't fully...
Rev. Marshall K Hammer
Sep 12, 20244 min read
Finding Comfort: How to Connect with an Animal Chaplain
Losing a beloved pet can be a devastating experience. The grief can be overwhelming, and many people find themselves in need of support....
Rev. Marshall K Hammer
Aug 1, 20243 min read
From My Heart to Yours: Coping after Suicide Loss
CW: suicide loss Losing someone to suicide is one of the most painful experiences imaginable. The grief can feel like a relentless...
Rev. Marshall K Hammer
May 9, 20244 min read
Soul Buddies: How Animal Chaplains Support Animals and their Human Companions
Companion animals are part of our families, plain and simple. The bonds we share with our furry, feathery, or scaly friends run deep. So...
Rev. Marshall K Hammer
Apr 11, 20243 min read
A Blessing for Tender Courage in Times of Upheaval
I woke up thinking I might could borrow a bit more strength. If I was a betting person, I would bet I'm not the only one. Are you feeling...
Rev. Marshall K Hammer
Mar 21, 20242 min read
How COVID Rocked the World of Reiki
The COVID-19 pandemic flipped our world upside down in so many ways - even shaking up the realm of health and wellness practices like...
Rev. Marshall K Hammer
Mar 14, 20243 min read
The Power of Online Learning Communities for the Healing Arts
Have you ever felt the desire to deepen your practice of yoga, meditation, or explore holistic healing modalities, but struggled to find...
Rev. Marshall K Hammer
Mar 7, 20243 min read
Finding Comfort in Hard Times: Reiki for Grief Support
Losing a loved one brings profound pain. Whether from death, a breakup, or changing life circumstances, grief expresses the depth of our...
Rev. Marshall K Hammer
Feb 29, 20242 min read
Reducing Stigma by Learning the Facts: Suicide Myth-Busting
Losing a loved one to suicide spurs countless questions around the “why” and “how”. In our search for answers, misunderstandings arise...
Rev. Marshall K Hammer
Feb 22, 20243 min read
Unveiling the Heart: Navigating Emotions after Suicide Loss
In the silent aftermath of losing a loved one to suicide, emotions become a turbulent sea, with waves of guilt, anger, and profound grief...
Rev. Marshall K Hammer
Jan 25, 20244 min read
Winter Solstice Blessings for the Grieving Among Us
As winter's embrace settles upon us, and the world seems to slow down, the Winter Solstice arrives as a symbol of both darkness and the...
Rev. Marshall K Hammer
Dec 21, 20232 min read
Navigating the Winter Blues: Tools and Tricks for Survivors of Suicide Loss
The winter season can be particularly challenging for survivors of suicide loss, as the shorter days and colder weather can amplify...
Rev. Marshall K Hammer
Dec 7, 20234 min read
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