Teri Degler: Author of The Divine Feminine Fire

Express Your Yearning;
Express Your Self
Imagine this! Imagine that the yearning you feel to express your deep, inner Self creatively is not the great yawning emptiness it often feels like - and that it the exact opposite of this - the most powerful force in the universe. This yearning is, in fact, nothing less than the divine feminine force known as Sophia, Shakti, and Shekinah. This idea shouldn't be as surprising as it seems. Age-old spiritual traditions have told us that that the divine feminine is the great Mother, the creative source of the universe. She is also the creative source within you.

In this workshop you participate in experiential exercises that explore this concept and help you discover how to draw your divine feminine creative energy from within and apply it to both your creative work and the problems in your daily life.

Sophia and the Divine Feminine Fire
The Da Vinci Code has introduced many of us to the divine Sophia. But how does she relate to the Divine Feminine in other traditions? In hatha-yoga and the rich sacred symbolism of Tantra, Sophia’s counterpart is known as Shakti, and she is seen as the cosmic force for personal transformation and creative inspiration. Discover what Shakti and Sophia mean for your creative expression and your daily life.

Inspiration" Exploring the cosmic link between breath and creatiity.
It's no coincidence that inspiration means both to breathe in and to receive the gift of creative ideas. And although we often think of creative inspiration in terms of artistic expression, we shouldn't forget that it can also solve everyday problems, overcome life's difficulties, and improve our daily lives.

Age-old yogic teachings tell us there is a link between breath, kundalini, and the ultimate inspired state – enlightenment. But they also hint that the ability to receive inspiration can be expanded as we move gradually along our spiritual paths.

Using breathing exercises, creative visualization, and creative writing, this experiential workshop will explore how…

Writing from the Womb
In this all-day writing workshop for women, you’ll explore Shakti as the cosmic mother of all creation and the cosmic creative force within you. You’ll look at how this goddess nestles in the basket of bone we call the pelvis and at how she longs to rise upward to meet her divine masculine Lover – passing through our hearts and turning them into tongues of flame. And you’ll delve into how she – and her counterparts Sophia and Shekinah from the Judeo-Christian mysticism – represents the divine power you hold in your body and how you can learn to express it.

The Sweet Juice of Grace

Saints and sages from many traditions have used powerful, often passionate symbolism to describe their experiences of kundalini-shakti, her movement through the body, and the transformation she has wrought in them. Mahadevi, a 12th century Hindu, says she has been “filled with the sweet juice of grace”; 12th century mystic Mechthild of Magdeburg describes lying down on a narrow bed with her divine Lover. Such images – found everywhere from Tantra to Judaism and Christianity – carry profoundly important messages about spiritual growth and inspiration.

Longing for the Beloved:
Sexuality, Sensuality, and Saints

Mystical experiences have often been described as erotically charged and sometimes sexually suggestive "unions" with the Beloved. Age-old Tantric texts explain this phenomenon in terms of the awakening of Kundalini and the transformation of sexual energy into spiritual energy - but this long-lost knowledge also has profound implications for our ability to tap into creative energy.

In this workshop, you will explore this ancient spiritual knowledge and take part in writing and creative visualization exercises that will help you tune into the wealth of creative energy you have within and begin to express it in new and exciting ways.

Kundalini, Creativity, and Cosmic Consciousness

The age-old yogic and Tantric teachings tell us that the cosmic feminine force known as kundalini-shakti dances with Shiva, her beloved, in an external dance of cosmic creation. They also tell us that when she awakens in the individual she is the source of mystical experience and divine creative inspiration found in the great saints and mystics.

But kundalini-shakti is also active in each and every one of us. In this workshop you'll explore this divine energy as the source of creative inspiration, spiritual growth, and empowerment in your life. You'll take part in hands-on creativity exercises that help you understand how - just as Shakti and Shiva dance together in the cosmos -- the divine masculine and feminine you hold within must be in balance in order for you to reach your full potential.

Hildegard of Bingen:
At the Center of The Sacred Circle

A powerful creative urge to paint, write, make music, and dance is making itself felt today. In this hands-on weekend workshop you'll learn more about this yearning by looking into the life of the 12th century mystic St. Hildegard of Bingen. You'll learn about what Hildegard called "the living light", how it was the source of her inspiration and the wellspring of one of the most phenomenal creative outpourings the world has ever seen.

While exploring how this light relates to the Divine Feminine, you'll play with art materials in new and different ways and do experiential exercises in writing and visualization. In the process, you'll discover how the divine flame that filled her life can bring you more closely in touch with the living light at your own creative core.

Women Saints and Sages:
Inspiration from Without;
Inspiration from Within

The stories of women saints and sages from across the centuries reveal a great deal about the way the Divine Feminine works in our daily lives. Their stories will inspire you – and reveal how you can become more inspired. The Hindu Mahadevi and Christian Mechthild of Magdeburg are two of them. Although they come from vastly different medieval traditions, they are astoundingly similar. Blatant defiers of social convention, both were consumed with yearning for divine lovers and both were celibates who wrote erotically charged, passionate poetry.

During this workshop you'll learn how these women held the power of the Divine Feminine in their physical bodies. You’ll delve into their ardent imagery and plum the vibrant inner images that are uniquely yours.

Upcoming Workshops and Presentations More detailed descriptions of each presentation are available below (newest at the top) : Juicy Friday - with Teri Degler Friday June 3, 7:00 pm Wonderworks Bookstore 79A Harbord Street Toronto, Ontario Vison --A film on the life of Hildegard von Binger with introductory talk by Teri Degler Music by Kristina Lewicki Sunday, May 29th Revue Cinema 400 Roncesvalles Toronto, Ontario The Divine Feminine Fire: Inspiration - Just a Breath Away April 8-10, 2011 Grail Springs Spa & Resort Bancroft, Ontario For information and registration Women of Destiny! Celebrating International Women's Day "Your Destiny, Your Dreams, Your Desires" March 1-2, 2011 Grail Springs Spa & Resort Bancroft, Ontario For information and registration Note: Join in the month long tele-retreat celebrating women! Wild and Wise Women Retreat February 25 - 27, 2011 RockRidge Canyon Resort (Near Princeton, British Columbia) For information & registration Unveiling the Creative Power of the Divine Feminine Fire: Women of Wisdom Conference 2011 A three-hour, hands-on workshop on revealing Shakti as both the creatrix of the universe and the architect of our evolving personal power. February 17 - 21, 2011 Seattle, Washington For information & registration The Divine Feminine Fire An all-day post conference workshop for the U.S./Canada Therapeutic Touch AGM on how the divine feminine heals, inspires, and transforms us. Open to the public! Monday, November 8, 2010 9:00 am - 5:00 pm Sheraton Toronto Airport Hotel & Conference Center More information Be sure to check back soon! More workshops dates are being added regularly. The workshops listed here are only those that are open to the public; Teri also does workshops for private groups. To book her for your group email workshops@teridegler.com or call				Book a workshop tailored for your group Listed below are some of the many workshops and talks Teri gives. You can book her for one of these presentations or have a workshop or talk customized to meet your group's interests and needs. The experiential workshops can be designed to focus solely on creative writing or to include playing with art materials and other types of creative expression. The length of the presentation - from a keynote address to an evening workshop or full weekend retreat - can also be adapted for your group. Teri is widely known as a warm, funny, and passionate workshop leader who creates the type of supportive atmosphere that encourages self-expression and leads to the feeling of security needed to explore new levels of creativity. Hands-on exercises in the workshops are aimed at developing creative expression, including how to: • tune into the divine feminine fire - the source of inspiration that lies within •apply it to both your creative work and the challenges in your daily life •· discover your own fiery feminine passion and use it to fuel your creative work •create a safe, secure haven for creative expression in your home •honor your inner divine masculine and balance it with the divine feminine within •turn the harsh inner voice of criticism into a wonderfully constructive "editor" or "commentator"
				Express Your Yearning; Express Your Self Imagine this! Imagine that the yearning you feel to express your deep, inner Self creatively is not the great yawning emptiness it often feels like - and that it the exact opposite of this - the most powerful force in the universe. This yearning is, in fact, nothing less than the divine feminine force known as Sophia, Shakti, and Shekinah. This idea shouldn't be as surprising as it seems. Age-old spiritual traditions have told us that that the divine feminine is the great Mother, the creative source of the universe. She is also the creative source within you. In this workshop you participate in experiential exercises that explore this concept and help you discover how to draw your divine feminine creative energy from within and apply it to both your creative work and the problems in your daily life. Sophia and the Divine Feminine Fire The Da Vinci Code has introduced many of us to the divine Sophia. But how does she relate to the Divine Feminine in other traditions? In hatha-yoga and the rich sacred symbolism of Tantra, Sophia’s counterpart is known as Shakti, and she is seen as the cosmic force for personal transformation and creative inspiration. Discover what Shakti and Sophia mean for your creative expression and your daily life. Inspiration" Exploring the cosmic link between breath and creatiity. It's no coincidence that inspiration means both to breathe in and to receive the gift of creative ideas. And although we often think of creative inspiration in terms of artistic expression, we shouldn't forget that it can also solve everyday problems, overcome life's difficulties, and improve our daily lives. Age-old yogic teachings tell us there is a link between breath, kundalini, and the ultimate inspired state – enlightenment. But they also hint that the ability to receive inspiration can be expanded as we move gradually along our spiritual paths. Using breathing exercises, creative visualization, and creative writing, this experiential workshop will explore how… Writing from the Womb In this all-day writing workshop for women, you’ll explore Shakti as the cosmic mother of all creation and the cosmic creative force within you. You’ll look at how this goddess nestles in the basket of bone we call the pelvis and at how she longs to rise upward to meet her divine masculine Lover – passing through our hearts and turning them into tongues of flame. And you’ll delve into how she – and her counterparts Sophia and Shekinah from the Judeo-Christian mysticism – represents the divine power you hold in your body and how you can learn to express it. The Sweet Juice of Grace Saints and sages from many traditions have used powerful, often passionate symbolism to describe their experiences of kundalini-shakti, her movement through the body, and the transformation she has wrought in them. Mahadevi, a 12th century Hindu, says she has been “filled with the sweet juice of grace”; 12th century mystic Mechthild of Magdeburg describes lying down on a narrow bed with her divine Lover. Such images – found everywhere from Tantra to Judaism and Christianity – carry profoundly important messages about spiritual growth and inspiration. Longing for the Beloved: Sexuality, Sensuality, and Saints Mystical experiences have often been described as erotically charged and sometimes sexually suggestive "unions" with the Beloved. Age-old Tantric texts explain this phenomenon in terms of the awakening of Kundalini and the transformation of sexual energy into spiritual energy - but this long-lost knowledge also has profound implications for our ability to tap into creative energy. In this workshop, you will explore this ancient spiritual knowledge and take part in writing and creative visualization exercises that will help you tune into the wealth of creative energy you have within and begin to express it in new and exciting ways. Kundalini, Creativity, and Cosmic Consciousness The age-old yogic and Tantric teachings tell us that the cosmic feminine force known as kundalini-shakti dances with Shiva, her beloved, in an external dance of cosmic creation. They also tell us that when she awakens in the individual she is the source of mystical experience and divine creative inspiration found in the great saints and mystics. But kundalini-shakti is also active in each and every one of us. In this workshop you'll explore this divine energy as the source of creative inspiration, spiritual growth, and empowerment in your life. You'll take part in hands-on creativity exercises that help you understand how - just as Shakti and Shiva dance together in the cosmos -- the divine masculine and feminine you hold within must be in balance in order for you to reach your full potential. Hildegard of Bingen: At the Center of The Sacred Circle A powerful creative urge to paint, write, make music, and dance is making itself felt today. In this hands-on weekend workshop you'll learn more about this yearning by looking into the life of the 12th century mystic St. Hildegard of Bingen. You'll learn about what Hildegard called "the living light", how it was the source of her inspiration and the wellspring of one of the most phenomenal creative outpourings the world has ever seen. While exploring how this light relates to the Divine Feminine, you'll play with art materials in new and different ways and do experiential exercises in writing and visualization. In the process, you'll discover how the divine flame that filled her life can bring you more closely in touch with the living light at your own creative core. Women Saints and Sages: Inspiration from Without; Inspiration from Within The stories of women saints and sages from across the centuries reveal a great deal about the way the Divine Feminine works in our daily lives. Their stories will inspire you – and reveal how you can become more inspired. The Hindu Mahadevi and Christian Mechthild of Magdeburg are two of them. Although they come from vastly different medieval traditions, they are astoundingly similar. Blatant defiers of social convention, both were consumed with yearning for divine lovers and both were celibates who wrote erotically charged, passionate poetry. During this workshop you'll learn how these women held the power of the Divine Feminine in their physical bodies. You’ll delve into their ardent imagery and plum the vibrant inner images that are uniquely yours.
©2002 - Updated October, 2010