Welcome to Ancestors to Elements

Thank you for being here.

Hi, I’m Sebene (said like Seven-A with a b instead of a v). I help spiritually curious people explore the central paradox of being human — we are not separate AND we are not the same.

I am trained as a meditation teacher, an integral coach, an Indigenous Focusing Oriented Therapy for Complex Trauma (IFOT) practitioner, and am a NY State licensed hiking guide. I am a devoted student of mystical traditions, including astrology. I make collages (for this newsletter). I like jokes.

I am known for my relational and relatable way of teaching profound material. I lead meditation, creativity, and nature-based practices that center the sacred, invite embodiment, honor our diverse experiences, and engage intuition & imagination as catalysts for change. I teach workshops, courses, and retreats using contemplative, creative & culturally relevant practices that are engaging and joyful.

My first book, You Belong: A Call for Connection, is published by HarperOne.

Why Ancestors to Elements?

Our many global crises are calling for change, for revolution. But, as bell hooks said: “If you’re f’ed up and you lead the revolution, you’re going to have a f’ed up revolution.” This is why doing the inner work of well-being is crucial to our collective evolution. AND, I say “The revolution will not be desacralized!”

Elements and ancestors are ancient & expansive metaphors and practices that seem to exist in every culture throughout time. I use them here to emphasize how human survival rests on a key paradox: you are absolutely interconnected with everything (elements) and you are also a uniquely independent being (ancestors).

We are not separate and we are not the same; we are interconnected and we are individuals; we are universal and we are unique. AND… we live within an enchanted cosmos. I believe these paradoxes are portals into the possibilities that will help us heal and transform both individually and collectively. We live within a numinous universe filled with mystery. We are faced with outdated structures and broken systems of our own making.

Welcome to the paradox party!

This newsletter is part of my attempt to communicate the truth of this sacred paradox of belonging.

On new 🌑 and full 🌕 moons I send an original essay. Four times a year on a full moon, I send my “advice column” In My Experience... Every full and new moon newsletter, I include a unique collage (made by me), an audio version (read aloud by me), a guided meditation, and image descriptions for any visuals. Once a month on the last-quarter-moon, I send 🌗 Last Quarter Links — a list of what I’m enjoying (reading/seeing/hearing/experiencing). On the first-quarter-moon, I post the 🌓 First Quarter Chat in the Substack Chat.

Thanks for being here. I truly appreciate your presence.

When you sign up to Ancestors to Elements:

All subscribers receive all of my moonly missives. Yes, that’s right, there is NO PAYWALL! Everyone gets everything, can post comments, and be in conversation with me.

Why no paywall? Our current polycrisis requires all of us to be well and to wake up. I aspire to make my work as accessible as possible. This includes both my writing & teaching. Subscribers to this newsletter receive invitations to scholarship and pay-what-you-can rates to all my online workshops and courses. I work with various venues to provide financial support for my in-person offerings. And I donate 10% of subscriber fees to different causes each month.

We all live within the extraction + exploitation wasteland that is late stage capitalism. I believe in each of us to find our various ways through this mess of a maze. This is my way.

If you are financially able, please consider becoming a paid subscriber to offer monetary support for my work.. it is labor. Or you can restack my posts, share my work on social media, or tell a friend about my newsletter (that’s supportive too!).

If you are interested in workshops, courses, retreats and other offerings, check out my website.

What people say about this newsletter:

Thank you for this, you have no idea how validating it feels to read the words I have been searching for in all the wrong places. I'm grateful the world has brought your message to me.

Your words touch me so deeply, in a place that needs to be touched with gentleness and with encouragement. I truly cannot thank you enough Sebene for sharing yourself in this way. You have made a profound difference in the way I am building a relationship with myself and I am incredibly grateful.

I love getting your newsletters so much. Every time I feel resonance - and because you are just you in them, it feels like we are hanging out!

Among my thank yous is you being willing to write long pieces, not bowing to the conventions of quick in and out. Short attention spans.  You get down and real. 

Your newsletters are such an inspiration as they are open, honest and real life. Why is it that our trials are what reach others so deeply? It is a daunting task you have taken on as there is incredible suffering in this world.

I feel like I take my time to read these newsletters so closely- there is so much wisdom, and honesty, and humor in here.

I so appreciate the contemplative, honest, deep, vulnerable and kindred quality of your writing.