126 NATURE-BASED EXPRESSIVE ARTS THERAPY
The description of the opening of this class embodies many of the
tenets of nature-based expressive arts work: creating ritual space,
remembering the teachings of the natural world, connecting to
body and breath and sharing intentions. The leader’s teaching is an
extension of her personal practice, an example of weaving ritual into
work and life. Later, each student will become the leader of the class
opening, sharing from his or her own daily practice. From this point
the class will move to discussions of the topics of the day, to art
making and to personal and professional dialogue.Cultivating active hope in the classroom
In the opening circle of my (Melia) Current Issues in Expressive Arts
class we begin by passing around a clay vessel shaped by the hands
in the circle and filled with personal symbols of resilience. The pinch
pot serves as a tactile reminder that we hold each other in our circle
and in our lives. Due to the particularly challenging times we live in,
I implemented an addendum to our practice of presence during our
normal check-in. I asked students to pay attention to examples of
active hope in the week between our meetings. Notice images, words,
actions and interactions that counter the dominant narrative of fear, greed,
violence and ecological devastation. What have you witnessed or done that
reconnects you to love, generosity, benevolence and sustainability? I couldn’t
have imagined the profound impact that these stories have had on
me, my students or our class culture. The following are short poems
I wrote in response to our opening circle of active hope.
For Carol
She cleans our floors and empties our trash
posting love notes as she sweeps
spreading a “Love Feast” of hot cider and soup
for the souls of all students
the morning after our state again
institutionalized discrimination.