As The Green Shoot Reaches Out
Resistance
can be useful. In fact, essential.
Consider a bell being run,
resistance between the clapper and bell.
How bees collect pollen.
A bow drill to start a friction fire.
Procreation.
Any form of rubbing to give pleasure.
In electricity, resistance can be a form of converting energy into heat.
On a psychodynamic plane, we experience resistance as uncomfortable, seeming to impede forward motion.
I want to accomplish something, I want to take on this change in my life, I seek to engage in activity that will bring greater vitality…
And yet, sigh…
There is the familiar companion, Resistance.
During this season of things growing,
I often consider the dormancy of seeds under the earth. And I imagine what it takes for that green shoot to push through the shell, heading toward the light and the warmth. Plants have the capacity to do it, just by their nature.
When I’m in a place of unknown, of resistance, and I can’t see what’s on the other side of the resistance, I think of that seed in the dark rich dirt, building its energy.
Here's a song I co-wrote about this phenomenon:
CLICK for audio recording of this poem in song form)
all is passing
it really is so simple, things passing…
the ice becomes mud
the seed splits its shell
the tears spill, saltily down.
do we think death slips quietly in
like fog, mother earth & father sky just breathing together
after a night of love.
yes, yes, it must be like that,
the love that asks everything,
as the earth becomes ready for the spring
as the fire burns to white ash
as green shoot reaches out
as the tears are collected by our lovers’ hands.
oh yeah,
all is passing,
it really is so simple,
things passing, things passing…
Sourcing Directionality Towards Light
That’s what we have to do, source our movement
towards light, towards life.
Let’s uncover what’s underneath the resistance.
A beginning step is observation.
In my own work and working with clients, I observe how we project what the thing we’re resisting is going to be about, what we will experience. And then we do our dance of focusing on something else, before doing the thing that we’re resisting.
And yes, sometimes, we can get a lot of stuff done in a place of resistance. In other words, maybe I didn’t get to the full expression of the thing I’m resisting...and well, a whole bunch of other stuff got activated. We move where we can...like building cadence.
It is way easier to bike up the steep hill when we are already moving.
The fact that I’m encountering resistance
in one arena can lead to progress in another.
We have this idea that if we have resistance,
we just have to push through it.
Well, maybe...but not only that.
We NEED resistance
to build energy, towards movement.
So long as we don’t get stuck in resisting the resistance.
We can use resistance to create efficiency, if we know how to use it as energy, rather than demonizing it.
What if I can think of resistance ...
As a way of creating sound and rhythm?
As a form of collecting nourishment?
As a way to generate heat and light?
As a form of pleasure?
After all, in the state of the world that we’re in,
resistance is ever-more a paramount energy to hold.
And may we remember that indeed, all is passing.
Beltane 2026 GATE OF EROS @Gateway House
🌀Maypole w/ Andrew Forbes, Bagpipes
🌀 Bawdy Questions from the Spirit of Eros
🌀Jumping the Beltane Fire
🌀Music with Laura Hitt & Barely Lace
*PERFORMANCES 👉🏼 Seriously Silly Medicine Show
Thank You!
Each of our community members have made a difference in this interweaving of generosity, talent and community. Thanks to your support, in 2025 we held 12 ceremonies, 22 Sanctuary Group meetings, 12 Kaleidoscopic Constellations Group meetings, 6 workshops, and 7 Extinction Rebellion gatherings.
Your contributions have enabled our ongoing capacity to hold space for the depth of sacred arts that keep our inner and outer fires going. We continue to hold our centers together as we lament all that is occurring in the world, share our personal joys, challenges and sorrows, and celebrate the interweaving of our lives with one another, nature, and the Great Mystery.
Check out the updated Gateway House webpage, which includes a list of contributors.
Donations throughout the year allow us to continue this work and are welcome at any time.
In my function as an Episcopal priest, occasionally I take supply services, filling in for other clergy when they are away. I am honored to preach and celebrate the Eucharist at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 163 Main St., New Paltz on Sunday, May 17 at 9:30AM. All are welcome to attend.
I am particularly grateful to participate at St. Andrew’s in this way, as the Rev. Dr. Allison Moore, the Priest-in- Charge, is a long-time friend and colleague who was sponsored for ordination by St. Clement’s in Hell’s Kitchen while I served as the Rector there.
Saturday, June 20 | 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM* | $50
*NOTE TIME CHANGE FOR JUNE*
Saturday, July 11 | 3 PM – 6 PM | $50
Gateway House | 12 Fairview Ave | Rosendale
Space is limited; Advance registration is now required.
Please fill out this Registration Form below.
UPCOMING SUMMER WORKSHOPS AT THE RAIL TRAIL CAFE
Kaleidoscopic Constellations, Crystals, & the Sacred Language of Object Altars
Saturday, July 25, 10AM - 12 NOON
Rail Trail Cafe, New Paltz, NY
CLICKfor details
ART by Ania Aldrich
Proceed Where the Way is Open:
Tracking Origins & Essences on the Rail Trail
Saturday, July 25, 10AM - 12 NOON
Rail Trail Cafe, New Paltz, NY
CLICK for details
PHOTO by Kathleen Mandeville, Trestle Bridge, Rosendale, NY
An Invitation to the Practice of Biodanza
As explorer of the many modalities and forms of spiritual growth and healing, Biodanza is the spiritual somatic form which I have practiced consistently over the recent years. Boidanza deeply nourishes me personally, and allows me to sustain and embody the depth of my own work at The Outer Edge and Gateway House. Biodanza cross pollinates with both Constellations and Ceremony. Join us!
Wed Evenings, 7:15pm
92 Saint Josen Road Accord, NY
You can find detailed info and the event calendar at the New World Ritual & Dance, the Hudson Valley's Biodanza center.
Warmly,
Kathleen C. Mandeville, M. Div.
Community Pastor, Consultant, Facilitator, Coach
Through The Outer Edge, Kathleen offers personal and organizational coaching, employing the modalities of Systemic Constellations, ritual, pastoral guidance. Her specialities include working with healers and creatives, as they achieve the true expression of their soul’s mission. Combining heart centered intuition with hard headed strategy...'Cuz, baby you're a firework.'
Contact me at The Outer Edge Coaching to schedule an initial 30 minute consultation.
