‘In a dark time, the eye begins to see.’ Theodore Roethke
‘There is a strange intimacy between grief and aliveness, some sacred exchange between what seems unbearable and what is most exquisitely alive’. Francis Weller
This workshop offers a gentle, spacious exploration of grief as an essential part of being human in these times of instability and change. Rather than focusing on dramatic or cathartic release, it invites a slower, more compassionate approach – one where grief can be met with care, curiosity, and support, both individually and in community.
To grow and mature as adults, we need a healthy relationship with grief. Yet many of us have been shaped by a culture that feels uneasy around it – encouraging us to ‘get on with it or ‘stay positive’, while the normality of grief remains unspoken. Without spaces where our grief can be witnessed and held, we can feel isolated, overwhelmed, or disconnected.
Grief can take many forms. It may show up as heartbreak or loss, but also as anger, numbness, a sense of an unlived life, or quiet aloneness. It can arise in our relationship with the wider world too – in a sense of separation from nature, or powerlessness in the face of collective challenges.
When we gently turn toward our grief, rather than away from it, we open the door to something deeper within us. As Kahlil Gibran wrote, ‘The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain’.
In this workshop, we will create a grounded and supportive space to tend to grief together. We adopt the seminal work of Francis Weller and his ‘Five Gates of Grief’ as a touchstone. In doing so, we nurture not only our own healing, but also the resilience, compassion, and connection needed to meet the challenges of our time.
You are warmly invited to join this shared exploration – an opportunity to listen, feel, and rediscover the quiet strength that can emerge when grief is welcomed and held in community.
The workshop is open to all genders, and no prior experience is necessary – 16 places are available.
Overview:
In this 2-day experiential workshop we will:
> create a safe and sacred community container for participants to explore their personal experiences of grief.
> facilitate experiential exercises that allow grief to be safely expressed and witnessed in community.
> encourage connection, empathy, and mutual support among participants.
> explore creative, ritual, and nature-based practices for integrating grief and fostering resilience.
> empower participants to develop a more compassionate and accepting relationship with their own grief.
Logistics:
David Mallard and Chris Caldwell facilitate a 2 day workshop experience.
Date: Saturday & Sunday October 10 & 11, 2026 (9AM – 6.00PM)
Venue: Currawong Bush Park – Conference Room – 277/285 Reynolds Road, Warrandyte (just east of Springvale Road).
Investment: $499.00 (plus GST)
Limit of 16 participants.
It is impossible to mature as a human being without a fluent relationship with grief!
This workshop will stretch you in a very good way! It will invite a more human, whole and alive sense of self to arrive.
Beautifully structured, professionally delivered. The wonderful creation of a safe space and a forum to share grief, explore feelings at depth without feeling exposed or vulnerable. I learnt so much about the grief we experience with the living, our loving relationships and family connections and most importantly, with ourselves! I left with tools and wisdom to help me navigate life more powerfully.
This workshop offers a safe, well contained journey into the exploration of where grief and loss reside within our selves and the collective. The territory of known and unknown. Dave and Chris hold the field of grief in a sensitive dance, allowing participants to find their own entry point, their own pace, their own relationship with grief to be tenderly revealed. The nature of community in circle allows the sacred to enter and alchemy of the human spirit to be seen and heard. Their offering of their wisdom and life experience to participants is a gift.
A beautiful, loving space to honour grief together. Something our culture so deeply needs. I left completely exhausted, but felt seen, held and profoundly connected.
This experience was guided by caring and compassionate facilitators with expert skills. They created an open space and I walked away feeling less alone having made authentic and genuine connections. The experience opened my mind to new opportunities, more curiosity and greater understanding of who I am. I feel like I have seen a glimpse of what’s to come for me and I am excited to continue to grow and develop in this space. I would recommend this experience to anyone wanting to explore who they are on a deeper level.
The grief workshop opened my eyes and heart to the grief I carried inside. After attending I feel more connected in my relationships and able to live more fully.
Dave and Chris were such knowledgeable facilitators and took an open and gentle approach to a topic that can be extremely volatile. Expertly executed with genuine kindness, love and care. A safe container was created to collectively and individually explore grief. Highly recommend to anyone wanting to develop a better relationship with their grief and pain.
A well thought out program from introduction to an amazing finale at the end of the weekend. This is good for the soul!
David Mallard is an extensively experienced trainer, coach, mentor, guide, adviser and consultant and has been actively involved in human development work for over 25 years. He is trained in Breathwork, accredited in the DiSC personality profile, holds a Cert. IV in Training & Assessment, is certified in Mental Health First Aid as well as holding Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees.
David is a graduate of the professional ‘Wild Mind Training Program’ with the Animas Valley Institute of Colorado and recently completed Francis Weller’s Grief Ritual leadership training. He has extensive senior executive experience working closely with CEO’s and Boards. In parallel David has facilitated hundreds of personal growth meetings, workshops and seminars. In 1998 he co-founded the NFP and registered charity Melbourne Men’s Group Inc and is a leadership council member of Soulcraft ANZ Inc. David is a recipient of CPA Australia’s ‘President’s Award for Excellence – Distinguished Service‘ with a specific focus on Human Development and Mental Health.
Chris Caldwell is a counselling psychologist, supervisor, teacher and group facilitator with over forty years’ experience in the field of healing and personal development. Chris has explored and trained in diverse fields during his practitioner career including the body mind model of Wilhelm Reich, formal meditation and yoga trainings in Australia and India, extensive practice in dreamwork and depth psychology as initiated by Carl Jung and extended into the transpersonal work of Stanislav Grof. Until recently Chris taught transpersonal counselling and specifically ‘Loss and Grief’ at the IKON Institute of Australia.
