Reads

In the Crease, by Dick Irwin — This was a fun book to skim. Written by legendary hockey announcer Dick Irwin, the voice I new of the Montreal Canadians when I was a young boy, it connected me to many boyhood memories of NHL goalies and stories of legends in the game. Reminded me of the masks I used to paint and wear in the basement playing with my friends. To think that there used to be only one goalie per team and that was one not wearing a mask. Also has me paying attention to Martin Brodeur who is about to break the record for most career shutouts ever. At the time of writing the book, Irwin described Terry Sawchuk, the current record holder, as holding a mark that would never be beaten. It is about too!

Einstein’s Dreams, by Alan Lightman — Really quite a lovely collection of images and stories of time. I found myself thinking of those who I know that have a different relationship with time. Chris Corrigan on kairos and chronos reminded me of “body” and “mechanical” time described by Lightman. And I loved the expansiveness with which the author names the relationship between time and other cultural norms. “A world in which time is absolute is a world of consolation. For while the movements of people are unpredictable, the movement of time is predictable. While people can be doubted, time cannot be doubted.” There is also a chapter that I really enjoyed on time standing still, as if the center of time is where time doesn’t move. It’s worth reading and enjoying.

New Moon, by Stephenie Meyer — Read this one with my daughter Zoe. Vampires, werewolves, and a love story for young readers. Author went to local university here, BYU. Good reading with Zoe.

Dream School

I am feeling very schooled in dream space. It has been about a year since I started more deliberately trying to catch my dreams. Just simple description when they occured. It has been about three months since I started seeing more in them. The universe finds ways to speak with us in the subconscious and in the language of symbols. Feeling awe for this – when the student is ready, the teacher appears…

This morning I woke from a dream that spoke several questions. The language builds on what Toke Moeller shares here from a previous post on powerful questions. I haven’t tried to match those. Rather, just write what showed from my dream.

I think of these as root questions – good to ask a round from the “I” and a round from the “we.” This also builds on what Teresa Posakony and Chris Corrigan and I have been sharing with clients on core intentions of conversations that matter: learn / work / build relations.

How could we strengthen our ability to stand in this journey?
– it isn’t one that all will take or can take
– it has many qualities of the unknown
– sometimes we take the journey on behalf of others, as a gift to the whole
– we often stand in what feels like a minority

What is at the center of this journey?
– glimpses of the biggest vision we see
– might come to see more of this together

Who can help us along the way?
– notice the people able to work in beauty
– may be quiet people
– may be people of deep knowing and ground

What will we need to let go of?
– redefine “other”

How might we be more wise together?
– now
– in the future
– what do we need to learn

How might we be more compassionate?
– honoring people where they are

More Powerful Questions

Hosting friend and colleague Toke Moeller just sent these out. They represent incredible clarity that invite a deeper consciousness as we engage in partipative work. I see these as questions to really invite a shared sense of deep purpose and commitment from those who might steward an action.

Toke has them in beautiful form. Asked from the I perspective here. And from the we perspective here.

Question at the center…
Why will I serve the common good in all?

Question to the north…
What am I ready to let go of and what am I ready to contribute to be part of a healthy and thriving community?

Question to the east…
What could I also be?

Question to the south…
What have I forgotten about being a neighbour?

Question to the west…
How will I organize myself to act wisely and ethically in service of the common good?

Question to heaven…
Who do I serve?

Question to earth…
How may I be kind today?

These relate to questions we asked of a health care system, some of which I blogged here.

Art of Hosting — Seeing Brilliance

From colleague and hosting mate, Tim Merry…

Last year Jon Guilbert, a documentary film maker joined us at the Shire for the Stewards gathering. He had taken part in the Boston AoH and was excited to explore a documentary around the AoH – following my story and relationships as a way to make the web of people and work visible. Check out the 6 minute film made from the gathering at the Shire.

It’s beautiful. Includes some of my dearest friends and hosting colleagues. It offers one voice on this body of work called the Art of Hosting and Convening Conversations.

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.

This will close in 60 seconds

asd
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.

This will close in 60 seconds

asd
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.

This will close in 60 seconds