DEATH WORKSHOP BY LINDA MARY MONTANO -PLUS KATIE TODDS NOTES

 DEATH WORKSHOP BY LINDA MARY MONTANO PLUS KATIE TODDS NOTES

MUSIC: ARCHANGEL RAPHAEL( if u have a Bluetooth speaker can u bring)
1. HOUSEKEEPING. HONOR YOUR NEEDS, KITCHEN,  TEA, REST, OUTSIDE, SIGN RELEASE FORM
2. WARM UP &  3 SENTENCE INTRO.  WHY HERE ? WHY DEATH .
3. 7 MINUTES WRITE A LETTER TO DEATH. READ TO SOMEONE HERE OR TO SOMEONE NOT HERE.   TEAR LETTER UP. WE BURN IT AT CLOSING.
4. BREAK
5. WRITE WORDS OF FORGIVENESS, CLEARING THE PAST,  CONFESSION. I FORGIVE MYSELF, I CONFESS, I LET GO OF MY SHAME CONCERNING. KEEP WRIITING CONCISE, 3 PARAGRAPHS, CREATIVE AND HEALING.  
6. LUNCH
7. WARM UP. DEMO OBIT AND HOW TO "DIE" INCLUDING INSTRUCTING THE GROUP HOW TO RESPOND(LAUGH, CRY SILENCE  ETC)
8.WRITE OBIT. DEPENDING ON SIZE OF GROUP, TIMING CAN BE 5 MINUTES OF LONGER. KEEP IT CONCISE, HEALING, CREATIVE. CAN BE A FAIRY TALE VERSION,  A WISH THAT YOUR LIFE HAD BEEN LIKE THE ONE YOU DESCRIBE,
9.LAY DOWN IN “ COFFIN” AND PRACTICE YOUR DEATH FOR ___3-5____ MINUTES. FIRST INSTRUCT US HOW AND WHEN YOU WANT US TO RESPOND.  ( CRY, LAUGH. SILENCE, SING, SHOUT, WORDS, )
10. CONCLUDING CIRCLE
11. BURN PAPERS OUTSIDE
LINDA MARY MONTANO 2024

LINDA MARY MONTANO & KATIE TODD VERSION  NOTES BY KATIE TODD

MUSIC  ARCHANGEL RAPHAEL

WELCOME; OPPORTUNITY TO INTERACT WITH DEATH

1. HOUSEKEEPING; PHONES OFF,HONOR YOUR NEED, BATHROOMS, KITCHEN, TEA ,REST OUTSIDE

START WITH PRAYER AND MEDITATION, LETTER TO DEATH,CLEARING WRITING EXERCISE, AFTER LUNCH WILL SHARE AFTERNOON PROCESS

2. WARM UP; GROUNDING, SHARE WHY THIS WORKSHOP.  NAME AND MAKE  SOUND. PASS THE "FLOWER' AND MAKE A SOUND YOU ASSOCITE WITH YOURSELF  NOW.                                               3. POWER OF AUTOMATIC UNCENSORED WRITING, 7 MINUTE LETTER TO DEATH. AFTER GO IN PAIRS READ TO YOUR PARTNER. 3 MINUTES EACH. CAN KEEP FOR USE LATER. 

4. BREAK 10 MINUTES

5. WRITE LETTERS OF FORGIVENESS, CLEARING, CONFESSIONS FROM YOUR PAST. 7 MINUTES. THIS IS PRIVATE .TEAR UP AND WILL BE BURNED AT THE END OF WORKSHOP OUTSIDE.I FORGIVE MYSELF, IM NOT PROUD OF, I CONFESS, IWISH I HADNT, I FEEL GUILTY BECAUSE

6.BEFORE LUNCH, WHAT HAPPENS IN AFTERNOON, OBITUARY WRITING AND THEN PERFORMING DEATH BY IMITATING SHIVASANA

6.PLANT SEED for writing your own obit. start sprouting it over lunch. 

7. Share plan after lunch. Demo obit and 'funeral" (lay down on yoga matt for 3 minutes)

8.LAY DOWN AND PRACTICE IN THE "COFFIN" YOUR DEATH FOR 3 MINUTES. FIRST, INSTRUCT US HOW YOU WANT  US TO RESOND CRY, LAUGH,SING, SILENCE, SHOUT, WORDS, POEM, ETC)

8. Importance of the GROUP FIELS OF SUPPORT. your attention and presence matters. Being a witness. Seeing and being seen in a vulnerable moment by loving hearts and minds. and eyes.All feelings are welcome.

9.Explore the DEEP EMBODIED SURRENDER. what is the feeling of letting go of everything? Of no longer being needed or relevant?

As we go through the Obituary and Funeral Ceremonies we encourage you to TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF    , honor your body, take breaks as needed. Honor your emotions If you need to take a break please do so, lay down etc.

10.  CONCLUSION: Group sound, everyones harvest: share with word or sentence. Today im leaving with....Share everyones occupation socan interface if need. 

11.At the place where we burn the "confession" papers.

12'' In the funeral business we have aftercare. We encourage grief support and help with the many details after the funeral service concludes"

13. thank you. Be gentle Acknowledge the wisdom of the group. Connections for aftercare. Talk with therapist.

14. Invite people to stay and help clean.