September Newsletter
Two Free Summits we strongly recommend:
Shift Network Shamanic Wisdom Summit click here
Collective Trauma Summit 2022
(go to WellofLight.com for free pass)
Only where love and need are one,
And work is play for mortal stakes,
Is the deed ever really done
For heaven and the future’s sakes.
Robert Frost
Shift Network Shamanic Wisdom Summit click here
Collective Trauma Summit 2022
(go to WellofLight.com for free pass)
Only where love and need are one,
And work is play for mortal stakes,
Is the deed ever really done
For heaven and the future’s sakes.
Robert Frost
Play, Growth, & Healing
Dear Ones,
Researchers have found that play is a central ingredient in somatic learning, developing potential and integrating fragmented traumatic experiences from the past that have become frozen in our bodies. Most developmental studies have been done with children, but there is growing evidence that play is essential in our development from birth to death. While it becomes more difficult to develop new structural and neural pathways, people who do Tai Chi, Qigong, Yoga, and other body-mind practices prove that we can increase our capacity as we grow older! Our potential deepens even further when our play is shared with others which increases our relational skills. I wanted to share an experience I had the other day that reminded me of the absolute delight that is available in play.
Researchers have found that play is a central ingredient in somatic learning, developing potential and integrating fragmented traumatic experiences from the past that have become frozen in our bodies. Most developmental studies have been done with children, but there is growing evidence that play is essential in our development from birth to death. While it becomes more difficult to develop new structural and neural pathways, people who do Tai Chi, Qigong, Yoga, and other body-mind practices prove that we can increase our capacity as we grow older! Our potential deepens even further when our play is shared with others which increases our relational skills. I wanted to share an experience I had the other day that reminded me of the absolute delight that is available in play.
In the wee hours of an overcast dawn, I experienced this most joyful event. As I was sitting in my hot tub in the garden, waiting for the hummingbirds to arrive, one swooped down and sipped a bit of nectar from a flower, and then to my surprise she landed on one of the drooping amaryllis petals, which had filled with water in the night, and began rolling around and frolicking in this liquid joy, taking little sips and then going back to her play. Then she discovered that she could slide down this fallen petal, joyfully inventing a water slide, while flapping her wings over and over again. My heart was so filled with gladness watching this exuberant play, I felt a vast sense of spaciousness and an explosion of happiness through my entire body. And then it began to rain. In California that's a blessing. I immediately started to dance and think of my brothers and sisters in Africa who dance in the rain to express their gratitude.
The drive to play freely is a basic, biological drive. Lack of free play may not kill the physical body, as would lack of air, food, or water, but it kills the spirit and stunts mental growth.
Peter Gray, Psychologist
Peter Gray, Psychologist
The word play is derived from the root word pleyen which means "to rejoice, be glad". As I observed the hummingbird bathing in a fervor of delight and joyfulness, I was overcome with the miracle of play. With all the negativity, suffering and sorrow in the world today, perhaps we could drop some of our terminal seriousness and find time to just play. It’s easier than you might think! When was the last time you engaged in playful activities? Do you schedule play time in your calendar, or allow yourself to break out in spontaneous frivolousness? Back in the 70’s I had the opportunity to spend time with futurist Buckminster Fuller. Bucky would sit on a tall stool in front of us explaining the most profound philosophical, architectural and geometric concepts, while swinging his legs, putting triangles over his head and giggling like a school boy. He was in his 80’s then. Most geniuses say that many of their most profound discoveries came to them when they were resting, walking and engaging in playful activities…
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We learn new tasks better when we make them fun and are in a relaxed and playful mood. Play can also stimulate our imagination, help us adapt and solve problems, improve relationships and our connection to others. Sharing laughter and fun can foster empathy, compassion, trust, and intimacy with others. In my work with trauma integration, I find play and humor an invaluable asset to releasing fear, creating a safe container and relaxing our defences to change… As Joseph Campbell said, ‘...can we participate joyfully in the sorrows of the world. We cannot cure the world of sorrows, but we can choose to live in joy.’ Play is the best way to live joyfully! |
Play is foundational for bonding relationships and fostering tolerance. It’s where we learn to trust and where we learn about the rules of the game. Play increases creativity and resilience, and it’s all about the generation of diversity—diversity of interactions, diversity of behaviors, diversity of connections.
Isabel Behncke, Ethologist and Primatologist
Isabel Behncke, Ethologist and Primatologist
As I have said many times, I believe that all the major problems of the world today; war, famine, inequality, enslavement, racism, climate change, and political and economic disparity have one commonality, at their heart they are all relational issues. Play is a way to break the strongly held belief that we are separate. Separate from our own bodies, each other, nature, our ancestors and life itself. It often feels like life is happening to us, but conscious play can teach us that life is actually happening through us. Life is movement, movement is energy, and energetic vitality comes from the deepening levels of presence, love and interconnection that we discover through play.
One of the things that people love about the Relational Intimacy Course is that, while taking the time to explore our shadow and how trauma keeps us separated, It is a lot of fun and play is an important ingredient for our trauma learning and integration. I hope you will join us for our Free Masterclass on September 8th at 10am PT. You can click here to reserve your spot or receive the recording if you are not available to join with us live. We are so grateful that you are part of the Well of Light Family. We are here to serve and support you.
With love and gratitude,
Michael & the Well of Light Team
Our brains are built to benefit from play no matter what our age.
Theresa A. Kestly, Psychologist
Theresa A. Kestly, Psychologist
