Re: [ConstellationTalk] Communicating with Ancestors

From: "Gabe Phillips" <lifespace@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 19 May 2004 07:45:38 +1000

Hello to you all.
My name is Gabe Phillips. I have been reading your many comments with
interest. Great to see how the work is evolving - especially in Australia. I
appreciate the great commitment and energy so many of you have to holding
this challenging work. It is many years since we sponsored the first
Constellation workshop in Australia with Judith Hemming. It is gratifying to
see the fruit it has born. I am writing to you all to let you know of two
workshops that are coming up later in the year. So much on offer now. A
lively scene. I have forwarded to Chris copies of flyers which he has kindly
put on the constellation website. Gestalt Therapy Australia is sponsoring a
visit by Peter van Zuilekom and Otteline Lamet to Australia. They will be
offering a three day Constellation workshop (November 12,13,14) and a four
day training workshop (November 18,19,20,21). I know many of you know these
kind and compassionate folk from your time in Zist together. I also know
many of you have felt some mentoring from them. If you are interested in
participating all the details are on the website (Thanks Chris) or you can
contact Faye Brazel at GTA on 03 9489 6300 and she will send you details.
I wish you well in your work and conversations.
Warm Wuishes
Gabe
----- Original Message -----
From: "Denis" <denisladbrook@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <ConstellationTalk@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, May 17, 2004 10:09 PM
Subject: [ConstellationTalk] Communicating with Ancestors

How do African people connect with their deceased forebears? Perhaps there

are many ways. One personal method was revealed to me by a devoutly
Christian middle-aged health worker who combines her faith with some
traditional practices of her people. I met her when Heather Deighan and I
were conducting a three-year Aus-AID-funded project on the South African
highveld. I offer this snippet of African practice with care and the feeling
of reverence the self-discloser communicated to me.

Speaking with my Ancestors

I spoke with a very intuitive Tswana woman, whom I shall call Kay, or just

K. She showed me a window into her heart and mind, and took me on a journey
into her soul. Please, then, respect the dead, and the soul-culture of a
professional woman and a leader in her community, as you read these lines.

'Two things that are very important in my culture are ancestors and

traditional healers,' K said as we began our journey together.

'My father had been an inspector of schools in Johannesburg, and when he

died he was cremated and his ashes were buried in Braamfontein Cemetery. My
grandfather, who was a witchdoctor, and my brother, who was killed in an
accident, are also there.

'My father was my best friend. We always talked things over. He was my

confidant and my advisor. He taught me to respect all people, regardless of
their colour or position in life. He wrote a book about life, and a German
University who built a statue in memory of him honoured this.

'When I go to Johannesburg, I visit his grave. I'm a born-again Methodist

and I draw strength from my ancestors. I visit him when I've got something
worrying on my mind. I sometimes take flowers and lay them gently next to
the stone. Then my conversation goes something like this:

"Papa, this is K, your daughter. I honour you as my father, who gave me

life. And I come to you as my Dad as I want to chat with you. I hope you can
hear me. And Heavenly Father, I know he is with you, so if he can't hear me,
would you, who hears everything, give him my message.

"Papa, I value you and your wise counsel now, as I always did. There's

something worrying me that I want to talk about."

'Then I tell him the issue. I pour it out. All the details, all the

concerns. Where it hurts. I tell him what I have to decide. Sometimes I also
talk with my grandfather and my brother.

'When I'm done, I tell the Lord, "I am your daughter too, so please help

me sort this out."

'Then I leave the issue. I always feel better, relieved, reconnected with

my source, my advisor-friend, my father.

'And a way forward just comes to me.'

Denis Ladbrook

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References:
- Communicating with Ancestors
  - From: Denis

Re: [ConstellationTalk] Communicating with Ancestors

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