Celebrant Gold: Practising Presence
© Written by Veronika Sophia Robinson
In my last blog post, I wrote about what it means to be an integrated celebrant.
Closely related to this is presence. Although we might talk about presenting ceremonies, and our presence at a ceremony, there’s an elevated experience of presence that is the akin to celebrant gold. This type of presence is one that reflects the state of our consciousness. This is when we live from a place of intentional awareness. Like being integrated, we are able to deal with difficulties, keep calm, and tune into our inner senses.
Developing awareness and living with authenticity are prerequisites to the higher octave of intentional presence.
For a highly attuned celebrant, presence means that not only are they in touch with their own feelings, they can sense them in others, too. Some might call it empathy, but this is actually different. Whereas (true) empathy is something you’re born with and you ‘can’t help’ feeling other people’s feelings, presence is something you can develop with practise.
Deborah and Lincoln’s Druidic Ceremony at Castlerigg Stone Circle, Cumbria (Celebrant Veronika Robinson)
Again, like being integrated, you will be rooted in the now moment and have the ability to remain centred. This focus claims space for clarity, confidence and conscious living. When you are in this state of presence, you won’t be pulled away by people, things and events around you (or internal distractions). This allows you to hold yourself with compassion, clarity, and calm. This is magnetic. You become a sacred vessel for holding others, too. People will trust you and feel safe. In this space, there’s no being tethered to the past or dragged to the future. You’re simply here. Now. As a celebrant, it means you can sit in space (maybe even silence) with your clients or through difficult family meetings, and stay in your place of calm. Presence is what gives you the power and pause of deep-level listening. You’re not sidetracked by the urge to share relatable stories.
Presence has the groundedness and deep roots of a tree. Image by Veronika Robinson.
When presenting ceremonies, presence gives you the scope to be aware of all the nuances of your environment, client and mourners/guests. Lucidity around the energy you hold will give you ongoing moments to lean into your intuition, and learn more about yourself and what you bring to any space. As a celebrant guiding people into, through and out of liminal ceremonial spaces, your authenticity and presence will carry others. How do you put a price on that?
Pre-dawn sky. Image by Veronika Robinson.
To live with presence, you must have awareness and clarity about your inner self, and what lives in your heart. A celebrant with presence will be able to master every aspect of their craft.
Presence is the most powerful (and magical!) skill you can develop as a celebrant. Think of it as crafting your ultimate creation; that special something money can’t buy.
Image by Veronika Robinson
Veronika Robinson and Paul Robinson are a husband and wife team whose boutique celebrant training Heart-led Celebrants attracts people from around the world. Heart-led Celebrants has earned a reputation for excellence in celebrant training, and those who are certified exemplify the highest standards in the industry.
Veronika has been a celebrant for over thirty years (having trained in New Zealand in 1995), and is the author of many books including the popular Celebrant Collection: Write That Eulogy; The Successful Celebrant; Funeral Celebrant Ceremony Planner; Wedding Celebrant Ceremony Planner; The Discrimination-free Celebrant; The Five Elements.
Award-winning voice artist, Paul Robinson, has had a whole career centred around his voice and other people’s. He’s highly experienced as a celebrant, trained actor, drama coach, voice-over artist, singer, broadcaster, compère, and ventriloquist. Paul is an excellent communicator and teacher, and has a sixth sense about how to relate to individuals, groups and audiences.
