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"We have often equated disobedience with evil.
But they are not the same thing."
~ Vanya Leilani, The Flesh & The Fruit
Most of us are handed a map for our lives.
Parts of the map might be beautiful, and other parts shadowy. But the maps name us and as long as we stay within its confines and walk its well-worn roads, we are carried along by the communal sense of favor - a favor that obedience to the "shoulds" often brings.
There is a comfort in this.
There is a certain kind of ease in an unquestioned life ~ a life that follows the Directions.
However, many of us discover at some point along the way that sometimes that map is taking us further from our own lives, rather than toward them.
Through the siren song of longing and the murky disruptions of discontent, we may begin to feel the wild beyond the well-worn paths luring us to step across the pre- approved boundaries.
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It may be time to practice disobedience, or creative transgression...
"Life transgresses everywhere.
life crosses over the assigned boundaries, disrupting old forms and
destroying the edges of the familiar as it pushes past symmetry and sta-bility into imbalance and chaos. and in the reaching, in the crossing over, life continues to unfold through the cycles of death and rebirth."
~ Vanya Leilani, The Flesh & The Fruit
This is when we may begin to feel the edges of obedience in our lives, that is, the places where our longing and discontent clash with the directions of the map. This is when what we feel emerging from our nature pushes against the instructions, identities, roles, names, and stories we have been given.
The obedient life is brought into question when our knowing calls us to step beyond the ways we had previously walked.
Naming the places of obedience in our lives prepares us to know where we are being gently nudged or fiercely pulled to step across the pre-approved boundaries into unknown lands.
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This is the place of transgression.
"The word transgress comes from the latin word transgressus or transgredi and means to step (trans) across (gredi), to go beyond or to cross imposed limits. it is interesting that this act of stepping away from the well-worn path has become so strongly associated with morality and is often defined as wrongdoing, sin, offense, and violation."
~ Vanya Leilani, The Flesh & The Fruit
When we encounter the places where our lives have been shaped by obedience to "shoulds" that are now harming us by keeping us too small or too false, the work is to look and not look away. The work is to pay attention and get to know those places.
Creative transgression invites us to step beyond the "shoulds" and off the well-worn paths into new ways of being.
This transgressive act requires us to throw away the old map and
to learn to live by an inner compass.
"We have taken transgression—the stepping beyond and across—and equated it with evil. This understanding of transgression as evil is not coincidental, since hierarchical systems of power-over rely heavily upon blind obedience, judgment, and fear. They need us to stay within the lines, to comply. They need us to stay obedient."
~ Vanya Leilani, The Flesh & The Fruit
This course will help you:
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Recognize and name your experiences of being a “good" ~ places where you remain obedient to imperatives and stories you no longer want to or can serve
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Understand what creative transgression is and its role in cultivating sovereignty
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Recognize those constricted places and learn ways of breaking away from the “shoulds” in your life
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Cultivate inner permission and blessing
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Understand that just because transgression, or disobedience, feels uncomfortable or even painful sometimes, does not mean it is a bad/evil thing like the systems that rely on our compliance would have us believe, so you can be empowered to let go of the fear and shame and step into your own truest life
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Recognize the many ways we have been exiled from our true belonging, so you can remember that you are not alone and find meaningful conversation and community
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Cultivate the practice of welcoming all parts of your experience, so you can stop judging yourself and live a freer and more expansive life
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Experiences of Obedience
& Creative Transgression
These Archetypal Patterns in Myth & the New Sciences
The Transgressive Arc:
Obedience, Transgression, Sacrifice, Permission, & Blessing
Competencies of
Sovereignty
Sovereignty
Deep Dive:
Relationships & Roles
Sovereignty
Deep Dive:
Vocation & Work
Sovereignty
Deep Dive:
Spirituality & Religion
How Shall We Then Live?
Closing Reflections & Sharing
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"I'd had many friends participate in Vanya's programs, and when it came time to shape my own degree, I knew I wanted to learn from her. Vanya created a customized course for me that had the academic vigor required for my doctoral program as well as the soul required for deep and meaningful integration. I loved every moment of exploration and conversation with Vanya and I look forward to learning from her again soon!"
Lacy Clark Ellman
This 9 month course includes:​​
Monthly zoom gatherings
Weekly reading suggestions
Weekly writing prompts
Membership in the Hearth community
With This Course You Will Receive:
Monthly Gatherings (virtual)
These monthly live gatherings (virtual) include teaching, discussion, practice, and reflection. They are an opportunity to not only gather around ideas and practices, they are also an opportunity to gather in sacred circle in loving witness of each person's experiences with these ideas, practices and ways of being.
The Hearth Membership
This is an ongoing community for folks to keep in touch during the week as we each practice and unpack what we are learning. It includes multiple optional gatherings each month. There is so much beauty and strength in being witnessed and knowing we are not alone.
Weekly Reading Suggestions & Writing Prompts
Along with doing this work in community, you will also be given readings and writing prompts to help you deepen your reflections as you explore your path toward sovereignty.
"Vanya has such a gift for cultivating spaces that foster self-reflection, discovery, and transformation in community with other women. I'm so grateful for Vanya's wisdom and the opportunity to learn from her and be witnessed and supported in my own journey from good girl to knowing woman." -Melissa
