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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