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The Deeper Why

It’s one of my favorite things to facilitate. I love to take a group into a question about their deeper why.

Sometimes it is for the individual — what is the deeper why of your work? Or the deeper why of your life? Or, how is it that the deeper why of your work connects to the deeper why of your life?

Sometimes it is for the group — what is the deeper why of what you are up to together? Or, what is it that you hope your deeper why together contributes? Or, what do you hope it contributes now, and in the longer arc?

I love the energy that is created from such a question, when responses are given ample open range.

One of the reasons I love questions about the deeper why is that it is not just a prompt to know. It is not just a prompt to be in our brains, smart and clever, thorough and summative.

Deeper why prompts are about being clear in feeling also. About being belly true. They are about letting words arise from a wondering, an intuition, a hope, and a longing.

When groups wake to that invitation, it’s game-changing. Deeper why animates longer lasting yes.

So, yah, fun. And enlivening. And, rather simplifying also.

3 Replies to “The Deeper Why”

  1. Greetings Tenneson,

    Such wise and thought provoking words. I am wondering if you could explain to me what do you mean by “arc”.

    Sending in respect and gratitude.

    1. Thx for reaching out Debra. I think of “arc” as the horizon. The longer view. The timeline that is more than just today. Yet, still retains a kind of connected coherence, even over the long stretch.

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Gifts of Circle - Question Cardsasd
Gifts of Circle is 30 short essays divided into 4 sections: 1) Circle's Bigger Purpose, 2) Circle's Practice, 3) Circle's First Requirements, and 4) Circle's Possibility for Men. From the Introduction: "Circle is what I turn to in the most comprehensive stories I know -- the stories of human beings trying to be kind and aware together, trying to make a difference in varied causes for which we need to go well together. Circle is also what I turn to in the most immediate needs that live right in front of me and in front of most of us -- sharing dreams and difficulties, exploring conflicts and coherences. Circle is what I turn to. Circle is what turns us to each other."

Question Cards is an accompanying tool to Gifts of Circle. Each card (34) offers a quote from the corresponding chapter in the book, followed by sample questions to grow your Circle hosting skills and to create connection, courage, and compassionate action among groups you host in Circle.

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In My Nature
is a collection of 10 poems. From A Note of Beginning: "This collection of poems arises from the many conversations I've been having about nature. Nature as guide. Nature as wild. Nature as organized. I remain a human being that so appreciates a curious nature in people. That so appreciates questions that pick fruit from inner being, that gather insights and intuitions to a basket, and then brings the to table to be enjoyed and shared over the next week."

This set of Note Cards (8 cards + envelopes)  quotes a few favorite passages from poems in In My Nature. I offer them as inspiration. And leave room for you to write personal notes.

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Most Mornings is a collection of 37 poems. I loved writing them. From the introduction: "This collection of poems comes from some of my sense-making that so often happens in the morning, nurtured by overnight sleep. The poems sample practices. They sample learnings. They sample insights and discoveries. They sample dilemmas and concerns."

This set of Note Cards (8 cards + envelopes)  quotes a few favorite passages from poems in Most Mornings. I offer them as inspiration. And leave room for you to write personal notes.

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