SOLACE: Soul + Grief
This podcast is sponsored by SOULPLUSGRACE serving the San José area, offering grief support and grief journeying with spirituality. I hope to help you travel through grief with God at your side. "I am a trained Spiritual Director for those who seek to complete the 19th Annotation of St. Igantius’ spiritual exercises OR seek spiritual direction while grieving. I have also worked as a hospital/cemetery chaplain and grief doula. I believe all paths lead to God and that all traditions are due respect and honour. I take my sacred inspiration from all of my patients and companions–past, present and future; the Dalai Lama, James Tissot, St. John of the Cross, the Buddha, Saint Teresa of Ávila, and, of course, Íñigo who became known as St. Ignatius. I utilize art, poetry, music, aromatherapy, yoga, lectio divina, prayer and meditation in my self-work and work with others. I believe in creating a sacred space for listening; even in the most incongruous of surroundings." BACKGROUND Jesuit Retreat Center, Los Altos, CA -- Pierre Favre Program, 3 year training to give the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius Centro de Espiritualidad de Loyola, Spain -- The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola -- 30 Day Silent Retreat/ Center for Loss & Life Transition – Comprehensive Bereavement Skills Training (30 hrs) Ft. Collins, CO California State University Institute for Palliative Care--Palliative Care Chaplaincy Specialty Cert. (90 hrs) Sequoia Hospital, Redwood City, CA -- Clinical Pastoral Education 19th Annotation with Fumiaki Tosu, San Jose, CA, Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA M.A. – Pastoral Ministries CONTACT ME: candeelucas@soulplusgrace.com with questions to be answered in future episodes.
Episodes
Grief rarely follows the patterns we imagine it will, often surprising us with unexpected moments of both pain and comfort that defy our expectations. Our personal experiences with grief become like unique coloring books that reflect our individual journeys rather than conforming to society's expectations.
• Childhood memories of a beloved sister who colored outside the lines
• How grief rarely stays...
Today explore the difficult questions that arise during grief and how our Catholic faith offers pathways for healing. We examine how questions of "why" and "what if" can become poignant prayers and how sharing our stories helps us accept the reality of loss.
• Questions beginning with "why" are often not really questions but statements of protest or pain
• The sacrament of r...
Grief is the process by which healing takes place after loss, requiring time and space to work through the emotional wounds. The work of grieving involves accepting the reality of loss, experiencing the pain, recreating the person in memory, adjusting to life without them, and finding new meaning.
• The word "bereavement" means "to be torn apart"
• Emotional wounds from loss take longe...
The loss of a lover represents the most intimate and personal of all losses, one that people rarely discuss even in grief groups or therapy sessions. Through Pablo Neruda's powerful love poems, we explore how poetry can give voice to the unique grief of losing a romantic partner and provide comfort for those experiencing this particular type of loss.
• Grief differs across various types of losses, requir...
CAUTION: TODAY'S EPISODE DISCUSSES SUICIDE, PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND SKIP TODAY IF THE SUBJECT SEEMS TOO INTENSE.
Today, we explore the concept of "self-death" as an alternative term for suicide, reflecting onmy recent experiences supporting those grieving after suicide. The topic emerges from a week filled with suicide-related grief conversations and the loss of a work colleague, leading to deep...
Grief often speaks in simple, powerful truths like "My son is still not here" - words that capture the relentless reality of loss that remains despite our healing efforts. Explore how we can live with these painful realities while still finding connection to God and our loved ones.
• Finding prayer in the darkness through simple pleas
• Acknowledging the difficulty of waiting for God's help...
Explore the profound nature of grief through poetic meditation, drawing on theological wisdom and personal imagery to create a space of understanding for those experiencing loss.
• Karl Rahner's reflection that "every one of the departed has taken a piece of my heart"
• The physical dimension of grief and longing to hold loved ones again
• Finding comfort in spiritual presence when the ...
Finding peace through mindfulness is essential for grief healing. By grounding ourselves in the present moment rather than constantly doing, we can navigate even the most challenging situations with greater clarity.
• Welcome this space of healing, love and support for those experiencing grief
• Buddha teaches us to question our perceptions, as most are false
• Peace becomes possible when we return to...
Today we share profound verses from Rumi's "Fountain of Fire" that explore the intersection of love, life, and death. These ancient words offer comfort and new perspectives for those navigating the complex landscape of grief.
• Exploration of Rumi's poetic wisdom on how the known merges with the unknown
• Reflection on the continuity between this life and the next
• Reminder that t...
Grief transforms from a static condition to an active process through the concept of "sorrowing"—a verb form shared by a friend also grieving the loss of parents. This perspective honors grief as a journey rather than a problem to solve, connecting us to spiritual traditions that recognize sorrow as a pathway to deeper wisdom.
• Ancient poetic texts illustrate how the soul might "take wings&quo...
Spiritual wisdom transcends cultural boundaries when we face grief and loss. Ancient prayers and poetry from Buddhist, Christian, Shinto, Islamic, and Jewish traditions offer comfort by acknowledging pain while providing perspective on life's impermanence.
• Dalai Lama reminds us that suffering comes from wanting permanence in an impermanent world
• Christian prayers acknowledge Jesus who also experi...
Experience the beloved 23rd Psalm as you've never heard it before through multiple translations that reveal new dimensions of meaning and comfort in this ancient text.
• Multiple translations showcase different interpretations while preserving the psalm's essential message
• The imagery of shepherd, green pastures, and still waters remains consistent across all versions
• Each translation hi...
We explore the barriers that prevent some people from fully entering the grieving process, particularly when complex relationships with the deceased create emotional blockages. Examining our hearts during Lent provides an opportunity to address unresolved wounds and cultivate the humility necessary for genuine healing and transformation.
• Complex relationships can create barriers to grieving fully due to unf...
Today journey with Jesus through his days in the desert, exploring his contemplation of suffering, sacrifice, and the transformative power of love. Jesus shares his ultimate teaching: that love is the only requirement in this life, and the only foundation that will endure.
• Jesus teaches that he loved and knew us before we were born, and wrote his name on our hearts
• Love forms the basis of our families...
Grief and the Lenten season share profound similarities, inviting us to see Jesus as a companion in our desolation. We explore how Christ's 40-day retreat in the desert mirrors our grief journey—both experiences bringing us face-to-face with limitation, aloneness, and the search for meaning.
• The desolation of grief parallels Jesus' desert experience during Lent
• Jesus contemplated his limited...
EXPLORE with us profound ideas about brokenness and healing through Father Greg Boyle's wisdom, offering insights for anyone navigating loss or feeling disconnected in today's divisive world.
• Explore how the image reflects how God welcomes us with enthusiastic love
• Uncover the universal feeling of brokenness that accompanies grief and loss
• Examineour collective societal brokennes...
This episode invites you to explore how grief intertwines with daily routines and how God can be found in every moment of our lives. We share insights and practices to transform ordinary life into a spiritual journey.
• Understand the pervasive presence of grief in daily life
• Explore Karl Rahner's teachings on the intersection of routine and spirituality
• Practical steps to engage with God t...
This week’s podcast brings forth the gentle yet powerful theme of healing through words; as we engage in a heartfelt conversation and share insights and experiences, guiding us through the multifaceted nature of grief and the comfort that can be found within poetry and sacred texts.
- Explore the vital role of words in navigating grief
- Insights on the grieving process
- Highlights of poetic passag...
This episode offers a compassionate exploration of grief, emphasizing the importance of open-heartedness, trust, and connection in the healing process; through thoughtful practices to reclaim love and compassion while navigating a personal journey of loss. In this episode we:
• Emphasize the sacredness of listening during grief
• Encourage curiosity about others’ experiences of faith
• Focus on leaving...
This episode delves into the profound nature of love experienced during times of grief. Explore imaginative prayer, the unbroken bonds of love, and how to find healing amid sorrow.
• Explore imaginative prayer for comfort
• Understand the unbroken bond of love
• Contemplate the nature of love and grief
• Embrace uncertainty and the space for healing
• Reach out for spiritual support
As you...
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