March 2026 - Indoor Gathering

Written By Ancient Hearts Collective .

03/08/2026

March Message: Daring to Bloom - The Courage and Vulnerability to Break Through

✧ Featuring Heart Leader Ann Walsvik, Spiritual Director, Pastor, Chaplain, Workshop Leader

Ann invites folks to kindle delight in their soul. With her gentle, warm, welcoming spirit, Ann explores life’s experiences, listening with an open heart for divine and bodily wisdom to guide us toward wholeness and wellbeing. 

✧  Ann is currently accepting new Spiritual Direction clients. If you are interested in connecting with Ann to explore any of her offerings, you can reach her in the following ways:

GATHERING MESSAGE

✧ As spring approaches, we gathered to step together into a season of rebirth. In community, we celebrated what has been quietly gestating in the dark and found the inspiration to step boldly into the new beginnings ready to emerge.

We explored the ancient Hindu concept of the Bija (the seed) as our teacher. We discussed how March is the time when dormant seeds begin to transform. This is not a process of adding layers; it is a process of surrender. For a tree to exist, the seed must literally cease to be.

We explored the two-fold nature of this breakthrough:

  • The Vulnerability: The seed is safe when it is hard and self-contained. To grow, it must let its protective shell fall away and change into a completely unknown form.

  • The Courage: The sprout is fragile, yet it possesses the incredible persistence and trust to move through the heavy earth toward a light it cannot yet see.

Our Heart Leader Guided Us Through the Dark

Ann uplifted us through the power of story, sharing moments from her own life where she leaned into courage and vulnerably navigated situations and seasons that were challenging. She reminded us that courage is courage, and it is relative; what may seem simple for one person can require immense bravery for another. During times of darkness, when uncertainty feels overwhelming, Ann encouraged us to 'start close in.' She drew inspiration from David Whyte’s poem, Start Close In, which reminds us not to take the second step or the third, but to begin with the first thing, the closest thing, the step you don't want to take. Here are the first two stanzas of the poem…

“Start close in, don't take the second step or the third, start with the first thing close in, the step you don't want to take.

Start with the ground you know, the pale ground beneath your feet, your own way to begin the conversation.“ David Whyte

 Read the full poem here on Substack. See the link below to order the book.

We Listened to Perennial Wisdom

We deepened our exploration through the voices of indigenous and divine feminine wisdom. We shared a reading from Steven Charleston’s "Spirit Wheel," reflecting on the sacred space of the Kiva, and explored the power of vulnerability through Chelan Harkin’s "The Prophetess." These readings led us into a time of soul-searching discussion where we shared from the heart.

We Celebrated and Sent Forth

Matt lifted our spirits with a communal rendition of “I Can See Clearly Now,” celebrating the clarity that comes after the breakthrough.

A Blessing for the Breakthrough

"May you carry the quiet courage of the Bija within you. May you have the grace to soften and trust when your soul calls for your opening, and the patience to honor the shell as it begins to crack. Do not fear the shedding of what you used to be; remember that the tree cannot rise until the seed dares to disappear."

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE

✧ Qi Gong

To bring our spirits fully into our bodies, our Heart Leader for the month, Ann, led us through a beautiful Qi Gong practice. This gentle movement helped us feel the energy of the season, the "multiplying cells" of potential within us.

SPIRITUAL INVITATION FOR MARCH

✧ Get outside: Get outside each day and bear witness to nature coming alive. Witness the fragile sprouts reaching for the light and meditate on their origins - their journey toward the light. With nature as a mirror and teacher, journal using the reflection questions, or do the “The Breath of the Bija” meditation.

  • 🌱 Breath of the Bija Meditation - No background music: Download here

  • 🌱 Breath of the Bija Meditation - With background music: Listen here

✧ QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION

·       Which old habit or ‘shell’ am I outgrowing? Can I be brave enough to let it break?

·       In the ‘darkness’ of my current challenges, where do I feel the pull toward the light?

·       How can I stop striving and start trusting the nourishment that is already here?

PERENNIAL WISDOM SOURCES

✧ SPIRITUALLY UNBOXED

✧ INDIGENOUS

✧ DIVINE FEMININE

MUSICAL INSPIRATION:

 

NEXT GATHERING:

  • SPRING EQUINOX CELEBRATION - Sunday, March 22nd, 10am-Noon

    • Location: Carver-Roehl Park

    • Map link: 4907 S Carvers Rock Rd, Clinton

    • What to know/how to prepare:

      • Suggested Donation: $10

      • Bring water and wear comfortable shoes and warm protective clothing.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Our Community Support Request form is LIVE on the website, under the Giving Back tab here. This is a gentle way to let the Ancient Hearts community know that you’re navigating a difficult time or could use some extra support right now.

  • Ancient Hearts Wellness Fair: Save the date for Saturday, March 14th, 9:00 am–12:45 pm at Basics Cooperative. This free event is a gift to the Ancient Hearts community, and wellness providers are invited to donate time and services. Send an email to contact@ancienthearts.org to donate your services.

  • StoryStewards Committee: A new team is forming to help share the story of Ancient Hearts beyond the gathering space. Roles include photography/video, editing, social media design, and posting. Send an email to contact@ancienthearts.org if you are interested in volunteering.

  • Founding Members: If this is the community you’ve been seeking and you want to help sustain us, we invite you to consider becoming a Founding Member in 2026. We hope to welcome 30 Founding Members into our Founding Circle this year. Learn more and reach out to contact@ancienthearts.org with any questions you have.

MONTHLY COMMUNITY EVENT: One Heart: Sacred Listening Circles

Each of us has a unique story to tell, and a deep longing for that story to be seen and heard. Yet, too often, we keep our truths to ourselves, missing the chance to share our most authentic selves.

One Heart: Sacred Listening Circles were created to bring these stories into the light. A form of group spiritual companionship, these monthly circles are a space to practice “walking each other home,” as Ram Dass once shared. Join us for an opportunity for deep connection and soulful companionship on your spiritual path.

🪶 Facilitator: Jen Carew, Certified Spiritual Director | Meditation and Mindfulness Teacher | Listening Circle Facilitator

🪶 Frequency: One Heart Circles will be offered once a month, and you may attend every month or attend when you can.

🪶 Open Seats: Minimum registration is 6 people. Maximum registration is 18 people.

🪶 Location: Atria Hall | 14 S. Fulton Street, Edgerton. Map link.

Registration*: Pre-registration is required and closes at 9 am on the day of the event. Please donate between $5 - 20 (pay what you can) to register and reserve your spot. 100% of your donation goes to sustaining Ancient Hearts Collective. *Donations are non-refundable. Thanks to Karla at Atria Hall, 100% of your donation will support Ancient Hearts Collective.

Ancient Hearts Collective . https://ancienthearts.org
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February 2026 - Outdoor Gathering