Inspired by their work and own personal experiences with loss, Sa•de and Eppley (two psychotherapy experts with a combined 50 years of experience), created this 7-step process to guide those dealing with grief toward the special gifts that can be found in this process.
“We live in a world full of tragedy, struggle and destruction,” says Sa•de. “Instead of hiding from the world and allowing our grief to take over our daily lives, we must look to the treasures that can be found; treasures that can not only help ourselves heal and grow but others as well.”
In a timely, inspirational and life-changing interview, Eppley and/or Sa•de share the 7-steps of the program:
1. Affirm Your Grief
This step teaches you about the importance of honoring and affirming the sacred nature of your grief.
2. Open Your Heart
When your heart has been broken, it may seem like you will never be able to love others or the world again. This step speaks about letting grief open your heart and how by doing this, healing can begin.
3. Initiation
This step shows you how grief is a most important experience of sacred initiation. It initiates you into your calling, your purpose in life.
4. Paradox
The saying “there are two sides to every coin” is a good example of Paradox. This step teaches you that life’s journey is constituted of both grief and joy, that grief as well as joy are noble and necessary to expand our heart. We can learn to experience both aspects of our emotions fully and with time do so simultaneously, thus experiencing the full paradox of life.
5. Spiritual Fortitude
With respect for all religions and philosophical beliefs, this step speaks about letting your “heart spirituality” be the sturdy and supportive container of your grief.
6. Service
Within grief and loss there are gifts that can lead you to find your unique way of serving peace and justice in the world and making a difference. This step encourages you to look for those gifts and then take action in the world.
7. Celebration of Life
It is so important to celebrate your WHOLE life both the grief and the joy. This step is about honoring and celebrating the depth of your grief journey.
“There is no set time during which the grieving process should occur. It is a fluid process for each person and some will need more guidance in getting through this difficult time than others,” adds Eppley.
Through the program, which is currently available on DVD and through streaming access on a donation-only basis, they encourage individuals through their uniquely designed series of personal coaching sessions to embrace this process as an opportunity for personal growth and exploration.
Mandy Eppley is a licensed psychotherapist, in practice for over 21 years. She has devoted herself to counseling individuals, couples, and families struggling with depression, anxiety, grief, and the effects of sexual abuse and trauma, and is considered a Grief Transformation Specialist. She is also a co-founder and Director of Services & Programs at The Respite, A Centre for Grief & Hope.
Chris Sa•de is the co-director of The Olive Branch Center with his wife, Jessie Thompson. Chris worked as a licensed psychotherapist in private practice specializing in grief, depression and life calling. He is now teaching and writing. He has lead over 200 psychological and spiritual retreats and also continues to serve as a spiritual Coach for individuals, couples and groups.
Eppley and Sa•de have been working together for 15 years, and in that time, have been speaking about creating a tangible process with practical tools that validates grief and provides support through it. Through this shared passion, they created this 7-Step process, The Model of Heart-Centered Grief, available through DVD and online streaming.
To learn more about Eppley, Sa•de, The Model and more, please visit:Websites:
transformingyourgrief.org or
therespite.org or
Facebook
or Twitter
The Model of Heart-Centered Grief is available for purchase by donation at transformingyourgrief.org and therespite.org
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