Tag: #learnthecircleway

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Live Slowly

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Michael Leunig is an Australian Cartoonist and Writer. I was introduced to his work in the most beautiful ways over the last week. His art hangs on each wall at the retreat center, The Big House, which housed and hosted us for The Circle Way Practicum. His poems were used by participants to host some of our process together. His books populated shelves of the main room. I got really excited about Michael Leunig.

Yesterday I memorized one of his poems, included in the book above, When I Talk To You, which I’m now carrying with me.

God help us to live slowly.
To move simply.
To look softly.
To allow emptiness.
To let the heart create for us.

I love having these words as memory from Australia, and as guide as I adapt to return.

 

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Contribute, Learn, Gain

Last week, through The Circle Way Practicum Australia, this intention statement (in orange) came to me through an exercise for all participants. The exercise involves reflection. And presence. And dialogue. And circle. And then writing, one statement.

I love the way that a deeper and nuanced awareness shows up as we humans turn to one another.

This year: “I intend to contribute, learn, and gain the vibration of community, the energetic memory, sustained and amplified by the practice and presence of circle.”

Last year: “My deeper yes is to practice and encourage consciousness, attention, simplicity, and kindness through and with The Circle Way for the betterment of human endeavor.”

I love the way that circle reminds me of what I am up to. From the heart. In the heart.

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The Circle Way — Transforming The Person

Hamish Lindop is a new friend. He lives in New Zealand. He was participant the first series of online classes that Amanda Fenton and I offered on The Circle Way.

Though the class ended in March, the class that Hamish was in has continued to meet for connection and for learning. I suppose I could say that they are continuing to meet because of the feeling of transformation.

Hamish recently shared this appreciation, which moved me. With permission, I share his words here. I love the way that he witnesses the change that is happening in him through connection and circle.

I was reflecting a little more on our circle generally, and noticing how it is gradually transforming me as a person. The more that I get to know you all, and the more that goes into the well that is the centre of this circle, I find that I am gradually changing. I have a thin layer of cement around my heart, and I can feel cracks forming in that, and myself opening up more, to my family in particular. So I want to thank you all for creating this centre with me; and the centre, and you all, are in turn creating a new me. 
Thanks Hamish.
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The Impeded Stream Sings

Today starts a 4 week online class about The Circle Way. I co-teach and convene it with Amanda Fenton. Two classes of 16 people start today for two hours each, from participants from around the world. In February, we offered similar class, twice. I’m delighted that each of the classes has filled. I’m meeting some really fantastic people.

A participant from previous class (thanks Cazeaux) that decided to continue meeting with one another as participants, offered this poem recently by Wendell Berry, the American poet and novelist living in Kentucky. I love the poem for its invitation to welcome the impediments, the experiences in our lives, that bring artistry and interest.

In the story I tell myself, we are all evolving. And, most days, I like that a lot. Except for the ones that I don’t, which are some. Here’s to the singing, whether recognized in the moment, or much later.

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The Impeded Stream– Wendell Berry
 
It may be that when we no longer know what to do,
   we have come to our real work.
And that when we no longer know
   which way to go,
we have begun our real journey.
 
The mind that is not baffled
   is not employed.
The impeded stream
   is the one that sings.

 

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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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