It’s clear to anyone not in la-la-Ia-I-can’t-hear-you land that we are in an accelerated curriculum of personal and planetary troubles. It’s become cliche to say we live in intense times, AND we really do. The world is rife with divisions, inequalities, violence and oppression. The Earth themselves is sounding alarm(ing) bells of ever-increasing urgency. It can be hard to see any way out. Yet, we know we can’t keep going along in the same old patterns and hope for a different result. 

Like many of you, I aspire to create deep impact. I also long to be personally, joyfully free. I know the two are intertwined. However, I cannot affect outer OR inner change if I am mired in the same confused consciousness that got us here. Maybe you too recognize the truth in bell hooks’ warning? If you’re f@cked up and you lead the revolution, you’re going to have a f@cked up revolution. 

The delusions of separation and domination are the roots of our current polycrises. These delusions live within us as much as around us — essential to any solutions is recognizing that we belong to all of this. 

By reconnecting to nature, mystery, and joy, ANCESTORS TO ELEMENTS deepens your sense of belonging through exploring the central paradox of being human: we are not separate AND we are not the same. 

• Reconnect to Nature: Through creative practices, guided meditations, and journal prompts, rediscover the power of belonging to the interconnected web of life.

• Embrace Mystery: Explore the paradox that defines our human existence: we are both undeniably interconnected and uniquely individual. Uncover the power of this elemental & sacred paradox in your life.

• Embody Joy: Understand that joy is always available, is based in the erotic (i.e. the sensual), and is transformative. Come ignite joy for personal & collective liberation.

• Engage with Ancestral Wisdom: Delve into the wisdom of your ancestors and the stories that shape your being. Uncover hidden narratives and tap into the richness of your heritage.

• Nurture Kinship: Learn to navigate the balance between oneness and individuality. Cultivate connections that celebrate diversity while fostering deep bonds.

• Trust Life and Cultivate Intuition: Allow the winds of change to guide you toward well-being. Learn to trust the unfolding of life's mysteries and create your own map for the journey.

• Unite Justice and Love: Understand that well-being extends beyond personal wellness. Recognize the interconnectedness of all things and merge justice and love in your quest for change.

Week 1: WELCOME TO THE PARADOX! 

CIRCLES/CYCLES: We Are Because We Belong 

Week 2: WHERE ARE YOUR PEOPLE FROM?


EARTH: Trauma is Not Trouble

Week 3: ROCKS ARE PEOPLE


WATER: ALL My Relations

Week 4:  WHO ELSE ARE YOUR PEOPLE?


FIRE: Nurturing Kinship


Week 5: LET JOY BE


AIR: Trust Life


Week 6: THE REVOLUTION WILL NOT BE DESACRALIZED


ETHER/SPIRIT: Nurturing Intuition & Enchantment for Liberation

You can pay in full or with a three-month payment plan (with no extra cost). There are three sliding scale payment options. YOU WILL NEED TO USE THE LISTED COUPON CODES FOR THE SECOND TWO OPTIONS:

• Pay-It-Forward Price: $450 (works out to $75/week)

This option is for those who easily meet their basic needs of food, housing, transport & leisure... and then some.

• Full Price: $370 (works out to $62/week) USE COUPON CODE: FULL-PRICE

This option is for those who regularly meet their basic needs of food, housing, transport & leisure. 

• Need-Based Price: $210 (works out to $35/week) USE COUPON CODE: NEED-BASED

This option is for those who mostly meet their basic needs of food, housing, transport & leisure.

Scholarships: THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST. ALL SCHOLARSHIPS HAVE BEEN AWARDED.

We may intellectually understand the paradox of belonging, but do we embody this truth? We all belong to each other & absolutely everything everywhere all at once, even while existing as distinct beings with biological relatives. Each of us is shaped by our specific ancestral histories, even while embedded within a larger matrix of elements. Although indigenous wisdom and modern science both affirm the truth that all is interconnected throughout time and space, most of us were not taught how to experience being part of this sacred whole — the great mystery.

Our society makes it challenging to learn, remember and practice the truth that absolutely everything is sacred — and that everything includes you. All of our ancestors, at some point, lived this truth. Imperialism, colonization, enslavement, persecution, migration, assimilation, plus individual trauma, shame & fear have stripped us of processes and rituals that connect us to nature, mystery, and joy.

ANCESTORS TO ELEMENTS creatively engages these two frameworks — elements and ancestors — as ancient & expansive metaphors for exploring how existence rests on a key paradox: you are absolutely interconnected with everything and you are also a uniquely independent being. 

Being connected to everything includes suffering, oppression, grief, and trauma. It also includes grace, love, generosity, and freedom. Experiencing connection to our mortal histories as well as to the more-than-human realms supports well-being — and well-being is where all true change starts. Not the wellness of individualized good-vibes-only techniques promoted through appropriation and commodification. Not the wellness that ignores historical and systemic legacies. Not wellness, well-being. A well-being that recognizes the fundamental, sacred, and glorious interconnection of all things. A well-being that unites justice and love. A well-being that embraces the great mystery at the heart of life’s central paradox: we are not separate AND we are not the same.

Through six-weeks of inspiring live lessons, creative practices, journal prompts, guided meditations and community sharing, ANCESTORS TO ELEMENTS leads you to (re)discover your unique & sacred sense of belonging. 

• Six modules (weeks) including: 

  • Six Main 2-hour sessions (on Zoom and recorded) including teaching, meditations, contemplation/journaling prompts, BIPOC & white breakout groups, short Q&A

  • Six Optional 1-hour sessions (on Zoom and recorded) for extra embodied practices and longer Q&A

  • Notion resource page linking all recordings, slides, ongoing practices, reference articles, books, videos and other links

  • Program–paced community forum moderated by me (Sebene): located within the course site, this will be a module–by–module space for posting inquiries & insights as well as interacting & sharing with other course members throughout each week

• Unlimited access to course site and all materials to return to whenever you choose

• September 6 — September 29: Registration Period (scholarships on a rolling basis, until filled)

• October 2: Last day for refund

• October 4 — November 13: Course dates

• October 4, 11, 18, 25 and November 1, 8 (Wednesdays 6–8pm ET): Main 2-hour sessions (on Zoom and recorded) 

• October 9, 16, 23, 30 and November 6, 13 (Mondays 5–6pm ET): Optional 1-hour sessions (on Zoom and recorded) 

• I help spiritually curious people remember that they belong to the cosmos. I write & teach about well-being, meditation, creativity, connecting to nature, and getting free (together). I describe myself as a nerdy, immigrant weirdo. If you've never taken a course with me, I aspire to show up in a way that's engaging, embodied and full of meaning and fun. I'm more of a curator/facilitator than a didactic teacher. I am inspired by various sources and influences including art, mysticism, culture, science, astrology, music/dancing, trees, actual physical books, long form essays, memes, indigenous wisdom, and revolutionary movements. Also, jokes.

• it is not a meditation class

  • this program will not teach you how to meditate but all the guided meditations will be accessible for beginners

  it is not an ancestral healing course

  • we will be identifying our individual ancestral cultures and exploring the personal patterns that may have been handed down by our ancestors, but this course does not provide deep ancestral investigation or healing

  it is not a trauma program

  • this program invites you to identify and release personal patterns that may stem from ancestral traumas, but it is not a trauma program, does not examine childhood nor recent traumas, and cannot substitute for trauma–informed psychotherapy

  it is not a course on race or identity

  • while aspects of race/identity will be explored as they pertain to your personal explorations (which they undoubtedly will), we will not be investigating these issues in depth as a collective

  it is not a “face-to-face” community program

  • while there is a moderated, message-based community forum with program-paced postings to guide you through each week as well as brief and unmoderated BIPOC & white breakout groups in the main session Zoom calls, there are no facilitated interactions with others taking the course

  it is not a training in particular traditions or modalities

  • while references and resources for various knowledge systems will be provided, these techniques will not be taught by me

  Still have questions? Check out the FAQ.

• How much time will the course take?
  Each person’s experience will be unique and you’ll get out of the course what you put in. I have taken a LOT (like, a ridiculous amount) of online courses over the years and not once have I followed a course exactly as it’s presented. You will likely want to return to the materials over time — this is why you have unlimited access to all of it. There is no “falling behind” — you are encouraged to participate in the forums and live calls regardless of where you are in the course.
  
  What are the payment options?
  You can pay in full or with a three-month payment plan (with no extra cost). There are three sliding scale payment options (see above for coupon codes for the second two payment options):
  

  • Pay-It-Forward Price: $ 450 (works out to $75/week)

  This option is for those who easily meet their basic needs of food, housing, transport & leisure... and then some.
  

  • Full Price: $ 370 (works out to $62/week)

  This option is for those regularly who meet their basic needs of food, housing, transport & leisure. 
  

  • Need-Based Price: $ 210 (works out to $35/week)

  This option is for those who mostly meet their basic needs of food, housing, transport & leisure.
  
  
  What is the refund policy?
  You have until October 2 to request a refund. After that date, no refunds will be given.
  
  Are there scholarships available?
  THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST. ALL SCHOLARSHIPS HAVE BEEN AWARDED.
  
  Does the course follow your book, You Belong?
  Although themes and references from You Belong show up in this course, ANCESTORS TO ELEMENTS is a distinct and fresh offering and does not follow my book. Of course, I’m thrilled if you want to buy the book, but it is not necessary to read it for course participation.
  
  Why do you have separate BIPOC & White Breakout Groups?
  Good question, thanks for asking! The false binary of POC and white is a highly imperfect way to create discussion space. AND imperfect is what we have, especially in a virtual container. I have been leading multicultural spiritual processes for over a dozen years and online for many, and I have found this to be the best way for people to connect when delving into explorations of ancestry and culture. There will be the larger Q&A time in every main session as well as the optional longer Q&A session to hear from various people. Also, anyone can opt out of breakout rooms.
  
  Is this course for skeptics?
  I would hope so, but, if you are coming in with strong resistance, maybe not. I resonate with all of Toltec teacher Don Miguel Ruiz’s Five Agreements, and especially the final one: No 5. Be skeptical but learn to listen. I believe we live in an ensouled, numinous, enchanted universe. I will not be trying to convince anyone of this or anything.
  
  Is this course for me?
  Maybe. And I encourage you to consider carefully what you’re looking for in a course. Some people look for in-person classes and community with lots of engagement. Some people want something online but completely on their own time/terms (like prerecorded options). Some like something in between. We are not the same! I built the kind of course my introverted & interested self likes to take. I trust that there are others out there who will resonate. Maybe you!
  
  If you still have questions, please email A2E@sebeneselassie.com