Hi all,

My name is Kevin, and I am sorry to say I missed the first discussion group. I expect to be able to attend next Monday's session.

I did listen to the session, and the rich conversation that you all shared. I look forward to participating in the next discussion.

A little about me: I am drawn to this material because I care deeply about the soul -- my own soul, the soul of others, and the soul of the Earth. I am concerned about what the patriarchal system is doing to the planet, and the harm that it is inflicting on both women and men as we are encouraged to disengage from our feelings and bodies, our innate, instinctual, and intuitive wisdom. I don't want to throw out all that the Masculine has to offer, but I want to be part of the healing of the relationship with the "Feminine", bringing all of Her aspects into greater prominence -- not just the nurturing womblike qualities, which we habitually focus on, but also the fierce protective energy of giving birth and protecting Her young (Yang Feminine: Kali-like) -- in service of bringing the Feminine into greater harmony with the Masculine. (We tend to focus on one side of the Masculine too -- the phallus -- forgetting that the Masculine also has a Yin quality, as expressed via the testicles (holding the seed, waiting for the invitation to fertilize, tending, nurturing the Earth, watching over with care, etc. I first encountered the Yang Feminine and Yin Masculine perspectives in Genia Pauli Haddon's book, Uniting Sex, Self, and Spirit.)

In my own life, I have lived apart from my own body, and have spent a good part of my adult life attempting to find my way home -- both within myself and in the world. It has not been easy, and I still struggle. So much of what Marion Woodman writes of in this book speaks to me deeply. I look forward to exploring more of what she offers with you in the coming weeks.

Thank you,
Kevin Filocamo