Tending the Soul in Uncertain Times

Part of the End-of-Life Conversations Series

Francis Weller and Anderson Cooper

“Where grief is taking us is a soul place, not a term of imprisonment. Grief does not want to take you hostage. It wants to be honored. Because to honor grief is to say that I dared to love, that love touched me, there are places in me that have not known love, the world is suffering, we have forgotten so much, and I’m carrying the ancestors as well. If we can have a little bit of faith in that, good things can happen.” —Francis Weller, from the conversation

Join us along the wild coast of California for an afternoon of dialogue, community, and ritual with author and soul activist Francis Weller, and host of the All There Is podcast and CNN anchor Anderson Cooper. Commonweal has been a site of healing and cultural renewal for 50 years.*

The recording of the event includes a conversation between Francis and Anderson, a montage of images representing the ritual that took place that day, and closing thoughts. The conversation explores the central work of grief, loss, and community in tenuous times.

*This is the traditional land of the Coast Miwok people

Listen (audio only)

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Anderson Cooper

Anderson is a journalist working for CNN and CBS’ 60 Minutes. He also writes, produces, and hosts a podcast “All There Is,” a deeply personal exploration of loss and grief, which will soon be starting its fourth season.

Francis Weller

Francis is a psychotherapist (retired), writer, and soul activist. He is a master of synthesizing diverse streams of thought from psychology, anthropology, mythology, alchemy, indigenous cultures and poetic traditions. Author of the bestselling The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief, The Threshold Between Loss and Revelation (with Rashani Réa), and In the Absence of the Ordinary: Soul Work for Times of Uncertainty, he has introduced the healing work of ritual to thousands of people. His new work is Entering the Healing Ground: The Wild Edge of Sorrow Official Workbook—Reflections, rituals, and meditations for grief and renewal. He founded and directs WisdomBridge, an organization that offers educational programs that seek to integrate the wisdom from indigenous cultures with the insights and knowledge gathered from western poetic, psychological and spiritual traditions. Francis is currently on staff at Commonweal Cancer Help Program, co-leading their week-long retreats with Michael Lerner. He is currently completing his next book, Facing the World with Soul and Why It Matters. | Photo: Danielle Cohen