Last fall I began the first Evolutionary Woman circle at West Hill United Church in Scarborough. At first, 12 women signed up – settling down to around 9. I was excited by the number, and what each woman brought to the circle (like the 12 signs of the Zodiac, or the 9 months in the cycle of birth or rebirth).
I remember lighting the candles and counting each one’s presence, and blessing the table before we began..
What – or Why – is Evolutionary Woman?
Good question. Which brings me to why I began it in the first place. At first, I was seeking. I was looking for connection with women who understood, or at least tried to, my spiritual interests and creative desires, and who I could share with at a deeper level. At the time, I was an actress and a closet writer. I found women online, evolutionary consciousness communities in which I could thrive and learn. I would write on forums and listen to live calls with women from all over the world. Some of us came to “know” each other – but none of them “knew me” face to face, so in some ways I remained safe and “invisible”. It was a good alias, to be able to share in this way – as if being transported to a different world, or in a holding tank with other women of like mind. The permission to shine was given, stated, part of the agreements we shared. We shared a great many things – about why we were there, what drove us, what we hoped to become, what we stood for, and were committed to bringing about in the world. And we worked hard to uncover the blocks that were pushing us back, and elevated ourselves and each other to build a better life, a better world.
Evolutionary Woman is Born
When one of my on-line courses ended, I felt lost again, and yet totally stimulated to try something new. Ideas began to pour through. I would write notes to myself in the middle of the night about an idea called “Evolutionary Woman”. I had never taught this before, but I was trained in acting and I had learned and explored many avenues of self-discovery. If I looked at it closely, I had a wealth of experience and information. But that wasn’t it. I had something else to offer, explore: The unknown avenues of women’s hearts and souls. That, I couldn’t prepare for.
I designed many weeks of material. But I also had to let go and trust. I would lead, but I would also respect. There were times when I could not step in and do what I felt was “right”. It wasn’t all up to me. That is what Evolutionary Woman is all about. Collective growth in a cocoon of “awakening”. It is a humbling experience, and challenging. It is not a socializing thing, though there are certainly elements of that! It is not a single-purposed group with a set mission. Each person brings their unique desires and abilities to the mix. But we do share a common purpose. To help each other grow.
We are here to respect and love one another.
We are here to be champions for one another.
We are here to hold each other accountable to the best that each of us can be
We hold a vision of what’s true and what’s possible
We won’t give up until we become the butterfly
“If the purpose of the Evolutionary Women’s Circle could be distilled into one sentence, would it look like this: To awaken and realize our influence and potential both as individuals and groups, to then become the fully alive, effective and deliberate creators that we can be.”
- Marion Morrish, Participant
How Evolutionary Woman is Evolving
I have changed the content of Evolutionary Woman substantially since the beginning. I find that it is drilling down to the basics, becoming more crystalline. For me, it is still a Spiritual path, not a self-help philosophy. I do add into the mix things that are familiar and comforting, and some fun too. We even did hula hoops one night – thanks to K! But when we settle down into the circle, miraculous things happen. The energy shifts. Commitments are made and kept, women’s hearts and spirits are honoured.
“I see you”
We “see” each other in the mirror of our own desiring, our own compassion, our own resolve, our greater Collective Will. For transformation. For truth. For passion. For possibility. For Reality.
And when someone else can see us in the way we want to be seen and heard, we blossom, we fly. We begin anew. Anything is possible.
But no one can do it alone. And so, we join. We remind. We practice. We share. We “act”. We play. We dance. We transform.
We say “Amen”!
What’s Next?
The next Evolutionary Women’s Workshop is being held at In the Spirit Yoga Studio and Wine Lounge in the village of Highland Creek, Scarborough. Oct 14 – Dec 9/12 every other Sunday from 4-6pm.
To register call (647) 352-4879 or e-mail letsconnect@inthespirityoga.com.
The Miracle Is You
