Jan's guest in this episode is Kristina Kaiser, pastor, author and spiritual companion/guide and educator. Together they discuss collective (or communal) grief. 

Collective grief is a shared emotional response that occurs when a large group of people—such as a community, nation, or even the global population—experiences a significant loss, trauma, or crisis simultaneously. Examples are natural disasters, acts of violence, the recent pandemic and political unrest. 

Unlike personal grief, which stems from the loss of a private relationship, collective grief is felt communally, often triggered by events that impact many people at once.

Jan and Kristina discussed collective grief by exploring its manifestations in contemporary society and uplifting ways to process and manage it. They examined the role of community and creating a sense of connection during times of shared distress. Kristina shared her experiences with peace circles and the power of music and movement in expressing and releasing collective grief. They emphasized the importance of self-care and grounding techniques, such as deep breathing and compassionate touch, to maintain emotional balance while engaging with communal sorrow. The conversation highlighted the need for gentle activism and the practice of Metta, or loving-kindness, as ways to align one's heart with those suffering while also finding moments of rest and hope.

ABOUT OUR GUEST:

In addition to being the author of Abundant Joy, Kristina is a certified Spiritual Guide & Supervisor with a Doctor of Ministry in Interfaith/Interspiritual Guidance and is certified in Sound Healing and Sound Bathing. She serves as a faculty member at Spiritual Guidance Training Institute and offers retreat and speaker services as well. 

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