The Simple Narrative — The Basics Are The Same

 

I am grateful for the conversation that I had with two colleagues yesterday. We know each other initially from some work between 2010 and 2013. We continue to know each other, because there is an irrepressible friendship and colleagueship that comes from work that moves both mind and spirit.

Yesterday’s conversation was about imagining a couple of gatherings that we will likely offer this October. We were each sharing stories of our current learning that will help to shape that work.

“The basics are the same.
What this work does is cultivate presence.
In ourselves.
And in who we are together.
There is great need for high quality speaking,
listening,
observing more than is the rational,
and consciousness.
There is great need to interrupt the patterns of rushing,
and of political maneuvering.
There is great need to relearn to seek the essence,
and to trust that to nourish us,
all of us.”

I am grateful for colleagues who become life-long friends, in whom we animate more of the mystery within which we all live, and more of the sense-making that guides both the long arc, and, the trust in just the next few steps.

 

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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