Writing for Spirituality and Self

by Sylvie Shaw

Several years ago, when I was contemplating going back to university after 25 years, I was fearful of university expectations and the way one was supposed to think and write. I questioned my own background in media and journalism where I often felt I knew a little about many different things - but the depth of information about issues, and their historical, political, philosophical and social foundations and significances were lost in deadlines, organisation and ratings.

When I arrived back at university (no, not at UQ), I struck a lecturer who insisted that one had to follow his way of thinking and approaching research. Students undertaking postgraduate studies were required to agree to the position: 'Reality is something out there'. By that he meant that issues of spirituality, feelings, religion, or things 'in here', were not valued in the academic (or at least his academic) sphere.

Then I met other lecturers who supported heartfelt, creative and spiritual approaches to study, and I am indeed indebted to Prof Gary Bouma and Dr Peter Cock. While studies in religion and spirituality, and ecopsychology were etic, students were encouraged to explore their own ideas of spirituality and ecospirituality. One way we did this was through weekend fieldwork camps where we spent time alone in nature, planted trees as a class, built sculptures on the beach, shared meals and music, and held seasonal rituals.

Before embarking on a return to uni journey, I wanted to learn from people whose books I had read and loved. So I wrote to a handful of lecturers and researchers who engage with Indigenous people, shamanism, ecophilosophy, spirituality and religion. I was seeking advice about coping with different and patriarchal ways of thinking and working. I was deeply grateful when I received supportive replies including a most marvellous letter. It was this hand-written note from Deborah Bird Rose, now professor of Social Inclusion at Macquarie University, that affirmed my decision to go back to school. Not long before I also had met a group of inspirational Aboriginal women from N.E. Arnhem Land who somehow steered me towards spirituality and to learning new ways of seeing and being. The decision was sealed.

In Rose's reply she suggested I read something from one of my favourite writers at the time (and still), the science fiction writer Ursula Le Guin. But it wasn't science fiction she directed me to, it was the Commencement Address at the Bryn Mawr College in 1986. The address is located in Le Guin's essay collection, Dancing at the edge of the world: thoughts on words, women, places (1989) and also online. The talk she gave to the students inspired me to step into a new world and 'learn the language of power - to be empowered.'

Perhaps things have changed somewhat since Le Guin spoke of the differing languages one uses and one needs to use to be in the world - at least I hope so.

References
Le Guin U. 2003 (1986). Bryn Mawr Commencement Address. Serendip. http://serendip.brynmawr.edu/sci_cult/leguin/

The images are taken from two issues of the Gatherings ecopsychology zine, The land down under (2000-2001), and The Monash University issue (2003), http://www.ecopsychology.org/journal/ezine/gatherings.html