Sharing our Gifts in the World...

How do you discover the gifts you bring into the world?  These often reveal the purpose for why we are here and what we are supposed to try and achieve in this lifetime, but sometimes finding out what that purpose or gift is can be a challenge.

Once you identify your gifts, what can you do to sustain them and not experience burn-out?  In other words, how do you use your gifts without over-expending yourself? How do you determine the right way to use your gifts that achieve the highest and best good?
How do you keep yourself on the right path in using your gifts and not becoming pulled off center by the distractions and temptations of the world?

When most westerners think about gifts the exchange of material goods is the image that is most familiar. Little time and attention is given to finding, sustaining and sharing the gifts that lay within each person in western culture. However, exploring the spiritual aspects of life and sharing personal gifts are crucial ways to deepen connections to the world and to the best parts of ourselves. Speaker and spiritual leader Sobonfu Somé shares,

"It is always challenging to bring the spiritual into the material world, but it is one of the only ways we can put people back in touch with the earth and their inner values."

Sobonfu will offer rituals and healing from the Dagara tribe of West Africa with participants in the Asheville, NC area on November 12-14, 2010. Her work involves healing and preparing the mind, body, spirit and soul to receive the spirituality that is found inside and all around each person. This deeper spiritual connection can be used personally and to support others in recovery. Sobonfu’s work has moved African spiritual practices from the realm of anthropology into lives of Westerners, to a place alongside the world’s great spiritual traditions, with a message of profound significance and practical application. This experiential weekend will illuminate ways participants can expand personal and communal connection while nurturing ways to share their gifts for a lifetime.

On November 12th Sobonfu will present at MAHEC, 501 Biltmore Ave in Asheville. This evening two-hour event is open to a wide audience and light refreshments will be served. Sobonfu will continue her work with up to 40 participants through the weekend at the Laughing Waters Retreat site located in Hickory Nut Forest Eco-Community in Gerton, NC.