Semester IV: Reclaiming My Inner Balance

Curriculum Outline:

I: Personal assessment of right/feminine & left/masculine health and collaboration 

a. Explore/process attributes of the healthily integrated brain and the dys-regulated brain (using left/right and masculine/feminine language) 

        b. Explore the process of how to build healthy regulation when one wants to strengthen weaker feminine energies or strengthen weaker masculine energies

        c. Facilitate inner child work to utilize increasingly integrated right/feminine & left/masculine “true self” brain to work through early experiences of disempowerment due to genetics/environmental conditioning that impacted healthy brain regulation

d. Process/share personal reflection, practice, and “real life” experiences of integration of right/left brain functions 

e. Discuss/Reflect/Share impact the impact of living in a left-brain dominate world, church, culture, family, etc. (students choose what applies)

II. Feminine & Masculine Healing in Theology using Kathry Sontagg’s book “The Mother Tree” 

a. Read and process this book possibly focusing on (among other things…this will be organic!) 

• Root work, trunk work, branch work and its connection past, present, future; the underworld, the earth, and the heavens
• The impact of the loss of regulating feminine and consequent unregulated masculine and the in the world of nature and and humanity’s relationship with earth 
• The impact in the loss of the value of the feminine in the culture’s relationship of embarrassment & shame about the life cycles of women
• Healthy integration of the masculine and feminine as witnessed in nature and societies that value the feminine 

b. Kathryn Sonntag to facilitate this discussion

III. Correlation between the rise of patriarchy and the loss of the feminine divine 

a Explore/process the rise of monotheism and its contribution to the rise of patriarchal societies and connection to the loss of the feminine divine

b. Guest presentation/Q&A: Fiona Givens’ research on the many faces of the feminine divine

c. Guest presentation/Q&A: Carol Lynn Pearsons’ “Mother Wove the Morning” and women honoring the divine feminine throughout history

IV. Re-Authoring our OWN Integrated Value Statements (for our younger selves/our children/grandchildren or any in the younger generation 

a. Explore/process value statements integrated into childhood/adolescent/young adult/adult spiritual formation through the lens of healthily regulated masculine by the governing feminine right brain 

• Examples: primary songs, Young Women’s/Young Men’s Themes, Strength of the Youth Manual, Articles of Faith, Proclamation to the family, Marriage Vows, etc.
• Process both the elements of what was internalized that was helpful, healthy, and contributed to the cultivation of your true self and your integrated masculine/left & feminine right brain development and what contributed to the imbalance of right/left brain healthy functioning and consequent imbalance of healthy masculine/feminine cooperation 
• Process what was integrated by group members that feels unique to LDS upbringing as opposed to commonly integrated through larger patriarchal culture
• Share of each member’s re-written value statements based on the integration of their brains and the ongoing rebalancing of feminine holistic energies regulating masculine dualistic energies.  

V. Closing Ceremonies

a. Overview of content, questions, review as needed

b. Share learning, growth, transformation on this beautiful healing journey together 🙂

Included:

Small Breakout Groups

Valerie organizes virtual breakout sessions after our group meetings for those who prefer smaller, more intimate settings to delve deeper into the content. Several members find this a wonderful opportunity to process some of their most important faith expansion work with a few other open hearts and open minded people.

Private Community

With your own support group via a closed Facebook Page and a current-members-only Marco Polo Group. These are places where members of the group process group experiences together, support one another in their real-life challenges, and reinforce the reality that we are not alone in this journey.

Closed Facebook Group

For all current members of ALL of Valerie’s groups where current group members from all groups can find more connection, discover others in their geographic area, and enjoy periodic Facebook LIVE Question and Response Sessions with Valerie and Nathan as well as other special guest speakers.

Podcast Guest Opportunities

Valerie occasionally invites group members come on the podcast as guests to share their own experiences in faith expansion. Val frequently gets requests from listeners who want to share…and she limits guest appearances to those whom she knows and loves personally :).

1:1 Coaching Opportunities

Valerie occasionally invites group members to volunteer for individual coaching during the group zoom meetings. These are great opportunities for everyone to learn from the principles and reflect upon insights. This is a VOLUNTEER position only, and no one will be forced to share.