ZARA WALDEBÄCK

There has always been a thread. Even in the beginning, when I often didn't feel at home in the world, there was a connection to Life as sacred, miraculous and joyful. A sense of soul. Looking back, I see now that the Spirits were always here, by my side.

Originally from Sweden, I made a decision while still young to move to London and spent nearly 30 years in the UK.  After a long healing process, it was time to go home. The land of my birth called me and I longed to touch my feet to its soil. In 2007 Jonathan and I moved to Åsbacka in southern Sweden, where we built up our healing retreat center and live and work together.

I have been teaching and holding Circles since 2010. When I teach, I feel a commitment to the people who come; to the Circle as a whole; and to the Spirits who guide us. Every time I teach, I learn more. It is a never-ending story and a lifelong path. One of the joys is seeing people re-connect to Life, remembering again that they are a part of the World - feeling not alone, but related.

The word Inspiration is filled with Spirit. All my life I have had a love of story and it has been my constant companion. In younger days I was a writer and filmmaker. For 15 years I directed films, taught screenwriting at London universities, and wrote books on writing (Writing for the Screen and The Creative Screenwriter). I feel a strong kinship between story and shamanism and they are deeply intertwined within me. To me, Stories are alive and when I write, my job is to listen and bring it into being. The story does not serve me, I serve the Story. I have held workshops on shamanism for writers, presented conference papers on the shamanic journey as story, and developed techniques for animate storytelling. I teach Stories of Nature courses and work as creative mentor. Story has helped me to better understand the language of the Spirits, and is an essential healing tool for me.

For me writing is closely related to healing and I regularly hold Writing with Soul courses and circles. These are open to anyone and is a simple way to make space for the soul and hear what wisdom it wants to share with you. It always amazes me how much is available to us if we take the time to stop, ask and listen. You can read more at  https://www.writingwithsoul.org/ 

In 2008 I was an integral part of setting up the International Shamanic Community (ISC) and have been helping it to run ever since. In shamanic networks, I learn more about what it means to be together. When we sit in Circle with a shared intention, so much is possible. It has taught me the importance of support, and the Power of the Fire at the Center.

Deep in my heart is the question: what can Spirit practice offer the Earth? In these challenging and demanding times, it feels more important than ever to listen to the voice of more-than-human nature. Movements like Rights of Nature and Ending Ecocide are part of my spiritual path and a greater healing whole. I love to work with ceremony, creativity and sacred action as agents for change. This echoes through my Web of Life work, facilitating systemic constellations from an animistic perspective. All that I do - whether with Story, Song, Nature, Healing or Webs – keeps the Spirits and the Living World at its heart.

I am grateful to indigenous people across the world who find ways to keep Traditional Ecological Knowledge alive and generously share it further. I am thankful for the many perspectives that contribute to re-rooting us in the Earth and discovering ancient connections. I keep learning more about what it can mean to be a good ally and am inspired by the guidelines of the Honourable Harvest as a way to live.

When working with the Spirits, we often recommend “taking an active but non-controlling role”. I enjoy doing the same in Life: Letting my path unfold, allowing the Spirits to lead, staying present, open and connected.

I want to live in a world that recognizes and rejoices in Life as Sacred. I want to live in a world that values body and soul, matter and spirit, as partners in Life. To live in a way that helps me remember. To live in communion, trusting the Spirits that whatever happens, they are here.

Contact Zara via email courses@asbacka.org or via ÅSBACKA FACEBOOK
Address: Åsbacka, Byggetsrundan 293, 266 95 Munka Ljungby, Sweden
https://www.asbacka.org/