Category: General Learning

I quite like these words from a friend. They speak to a fundamental purpose of being together. Sometimes, together in the form of a couple. Sometimes, in the form of a team or community.

Witnessing is doing. Witnessing a life into its natural unfolding and growth is privilege.

“The ultimate touchstone of friendship is not improvement, neither of the other nor of the self, the ultimate touchstone is witness, the privilege of having been seen  by someone and the equal privilege of being granted the sight of the essence of another, to have walked with them and to have believed in them, and sometimes just to have accompanied them for however brief a span, on a journey impossible to accomplish alone.”

Here’s an 8-minute video from Felt Soul Media.

It is about a man and his dog. About companionship. About illness — cancer. About aging.

I found it, grounding this morning. It is beautifully made.

I haven’t met Stephen Jenkinson. He is part of the Orphan Wisdom School. He is someone that two of my closest friends have now referred me to, independent of each other.

This six minute film by Ian MacKenzie is what was sent to me recently. It includes a few points that stand out to me this morning:

“Human making is all akin to learning.” This is the one that feels very familiar. I forget this sometimes. This morning was reminder.

His reference to deciding to “stop being somewhere else.” This one feels fresh and very helpful. It speaks a kind of accuracy about the angst that I often feel, and, I believe, that so many of us feel. Many of us are paying attention to what is next, or what is past, diverting attention from the way that all is present and available in the given moment.

The way to become human is to “kill the childhood.” This one is challenging. Wait, I’ve spent a lot of time trying to reclaim a childhood, right. In his language, it is about contributing to the life that is humanity, even if not to your individual life.

There is something in the tone of this movie that feels inviting.

I hope to meet this man, Stephen Jenkinson, some day.

 

I have so enjoyed the last two days working with my friends, Bob Stilger, Christy Lee-Engle, and Marc Parnes. Together we are planning an offering for a 9 month leaning cohort that will be focused particularly on the journey of returning to wholeness.

We all know each other. Bob and I go back 15 years to early work with Berkana. I’ve known Marc and Christy for about 10 years.

What I liked most about our time these past two days is how we worked together. An easy pace. Gentle timing. Reaching into the depths of our friendship. Trusting one another’s intuition.

Friendship makes planning easier. It is not separate from planning. It is not what you stop so that you can get to the “real work.” It is the foundation of planning. It is what precedes meaningful planning. It is what enables depth of inquiry into the purpose and potential that we are planning.

I look forward to what is next. Not fatigued from the last days, but rather inspired and grateful.