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Lorie and Benjamin embody the Maine lifestyle, from the images in this newsletter and the pictures of them in scuffed Blundstones on their website, to Lorie’s mention of their local food co-op below.
But, this community spans the world! I live on the other side of the continent in another country and although we have been in the same physical space many times, our relationship is now entirely virtual – as is the one many of you have with them!
Seeing Lorie and Benjamin’s life through their zoom backgrounds has made me curious about a few things that I can’t see but wonder about these wonderful people who I know so well.
Inquiring Minds (and Carmen's) Need to Know…
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Q: Lorie, you light a candle at the beginning of nearly every Inner Healing Circle zoom meeting. Where do you get them all? Do you have a closet full of blue stars, black ravens and red hearts, or do you shop for them for each meeting?
A: We do have a candle drawer in our home where we collect all our finds. Benjamin and I are always on the lookout and our local Blue Hill Coop has a great selection of beeswax candles of all kinds.
Q: Watching the boxes populate when the zoom room opens is so exciting - how do you both center and ground yourselves in the minutes before a meeting?
A: B – I sit quietly with my eyes closed, notice my breath, often I take a flower essence. I always say a prayer that what we are about to do will be of benefit to those who join us.
L – I do shaking qi gong, take three deep breaths, light a candle (and sometimes sage) and often I spray myself with a flower essence mist.
Q: Benjamin, it's Aquarius season, what was your favorite birthday gift this year?
A: Lorie and I got away over this past weekend for an overnight in Rockland, Maine … there were lots of fun moments, but the best gift was getting lost with her in the Strand Theater, a real old-fashioned movie theater that serves popcorn with real butter, watching Jodie Foster in a fantastic French psychological thriller, Vie Privée.
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Q: We’ve asked a lot of other Alchemical Healers recently about what dreams they are realizing – what dreams are you two bringing into reality this year?
A: This year, for the first time, we will donate a percentage of our community membership fees to social activism organizations chosen by our members, which is now something we’ll do every year!
We are also moving forward with plans to construct a gathering place on our property for small group workshops and at the same time we’re inviting 60 new aspiring alchemical healers into our online Level 1 Mentorship program.
Lorie is working on a children’s book with community member and dear friend, Julie Gladstone. Here is a sample page in-process:
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Q: I love the way a good book keeps popping up in my thoughts months after reading it - Benjamin, what book did you read last year, but are still thinking about now?
A: Will and Spirit by Gerald G. May … the distinction May draws between willfulness and willingness I think about often. Also, Barbara Kingsolver’s Demon Copperhead … very fun!
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Q: Lorie, years ago you discussed the rhythm and ritual of your mornings. I don’t remember what you said exactly, but I remember being touched by your intentionality. What is your morning rhythm these days?
A: I suspect it’s changed from years ago! Benjamin and I always start the day reading from a spiritual text, often One Day At a Time in Al-anon, which frequently leads to meaningful reflection. I’m much slower to fully wake than Benjamin. I always enjoy a good cup of coffee in bed with a book before starting my day. I’ve just finished Tolstoy’s Anna Karenina.
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Join Lorie & Benjamin
on Zoom
This event is only accessible to members of our Inner Healing Circle membership.
Sign Up and join us!
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