Wednesday 19 December 2012

Circle Practice #7 - 13th December 2012



Wishing all an enlightening midwinter circle holiday!

DaretoCare 13th December 

Attended:  Bill Evie Sue Ian Norma Christopher and Charlie
Scribe minutes: Christopher; written up by Evie

We did our Check in and all said how we felt in the here and now, mostly people rejoiced in being there and set up on time, recalling the previous session were the room difficulty caused us to run late.
Agreements were spoken by the group
It was decided that in light of new people and to gain good understanding and ownership of the agreements we would revisit them in the new year.

Chapter three: Hazels cake and measuring gross domestic product {GDP}
Charlie reflected on GDP. Perhaps that’s why it's called ‘gross’ profit.
Ian said that whilst the whole chapter is clear and how it applies to us, he finds the whole GDP bit hard to understand.
Others continued to say stuff that was repeated from previous weeks. I felt that we had reached a great understanding and familiarity of this subject; it seemed to surround the group.  A personal reflection was that I wanted to do something positive to heal the issues with GDP. I decided to offer that we move chapter 4 for these very reasons. The group laughed and agreed. 

Chapter 4: Alone and togetherness in our survival issues
Started me thinking about solutions
Babies are frightened when born because of the feeling hunger, and so cry profusely because the pain of hunger in their tummy is so immense to the tiny infant.  I started thinking it would be good to explore our feelings of childhood growing up and survival.

I asked the group if they would be willing to explore it together?

Talking round
Sue says everything changed when I lived in Sudan. I learned to have an acceptance and appreciation of the moment, a positive attitude with those around me.  I need never really worry about survival. Observation as I write this up sometime after the session is that we skipped to what changed rather than explored childhood.
Norma suggested we have different perspectives on survival, financial, personal, and emotional. Norma recalled too be alone without the mobile on the street left her vulnerable. Like beings able to live well, keep a clean house, cook, etc. out nature is to adapt. Need to open our minds.
Bill discusses coming from a different time, a pay generation, and baby boomers, I have a great occupational pension, and have relaxed comfortable life, in a good economic state. Not sure that will happen again for future generations. I'm worried about the planet. Things like community crops in pots will spread and is our future. I have a lot of emotional support in Edinburgh.
Lost scribes own words sadly.
Ian discussed his fragile medical condition. I wouldn't last that long without big pharma. People in the states are waking up to the ideas like their taxes are paid to the queen.
Charlie discussed FEAR. Worry is concern tainted with fear, promotes survival. Water the UN says that a human being doesn't have the right to water, to self-preservation. Be aware at all times, expect the unexpected, never unregistered anyone. Respect all life in its Many forms.

Are we alone in our survival "under GDP"
What could we do to change that in our communities? (Quick answers)
Sue
We are encouraged to be independent, which is a crucial flaw in society. People who didn't want you to admit to failures, which is self-destructive and negative. Good to have the trust in other people to go to them and say how I feel.
Norma
I was brought up to believe that I should do something great. I don't believe that, its self-confidence. It's actually fine to shout out and have a voice. Why not!
Bill
Louis four defined ions in this chapter are... He seems to suggest that it's dead dimple to move from the society we are in now. To share financial support fairly. Into sure this is so easy. We have the abundance kitty. Maybe it does work out, as it works out in restaurants when we have shared like that.
Ian
Love is the answer
Charlie
Surviving alone is addressed by concentrating on core needs. Water, food shelter, the UN is not a good thing, if you look past the surface.
Bill suggested we read the articles of from the book. The three declarations of human rights at the end of the chapter, Bill read these allowed for us all to hear. 

Something to say about the chapter in the last five minutes?
That we can start redressing the evils of capitalism changing ourselves, it's the place to start.

checkout

Next Session:
Thursday, 10th January, 9.30am - 11.30am ALP, Tollcross  with creche
back in room 2 - yeppeah! so we can create a proper circle again! The Oval Table was ok, esp as it made us appreciate the benefit of a proper circle shape again!
This next session Plan:
Py. 1:Host Ruth: revising our Circle Agreements;  Guardian: Evie
Pt.2: Host: Evie; Book study;  Guardian: Ruth
Ch 6: Community based initiatives & Ch7: True stability and freedom
Scribes: tbc

Thursday 6 December 2012

Circle Practice #6 - 6th December 2012


Today was quite an interesting day: our first day with creche! Due to room booking confusions at ALP chaos seemed to reign supreme sweetly challenging everyone to transcend upheavals !  We  more or less managed thanks to all and esp. Sue who then also after the session got our next term bookings confirmed as well as our remaining five sessions with creche.
It was great to have Evie back, and her wee Mali seemed to enjoy the sole attention he got in the creche.
We met in the small office meeting room of Gingerbread in the Janitors house next to ALP, squeezing 7 folks round the oval table there, once we finally got started over an hour late, but kept in good spirits by Bill making us all tea there!
Today's meeting had also a good bit of practical arrangements on the agenda for to be discussed but we made the wise decisions that after the double room upheaval we would first settle down for a wee spot of proper circle council practise, oval table or not...  After sharing what we brought for the centre to represent our learning intent, and check-in of all (Bill, Charly, Iain, Ruth, Norma, Dazey, Evie and Sue) and with a special welcome given to Norma,   -    and after re-membering our agreements (as best as we could, as noone had a written copy!), Iain and Bill hosted the start of the study of Chapter 3 of our book : "Hazel's cake and  measuring gross domestic product".



Our reflections included a shared sense that the natural environment is indeed the foundation of our livelihoods, and that unpaid work (and gift economy) indeed holds together the fabric of community, and not what gets measured in GDP, and our economy tries to turn the natural laws of this cake upside down.
We only had 10 - 15 minutes today for sharing or studying the text, and it was agreed to carry on with this very meaty chapter next session, esp in order to give due considerations to the Calvert-Henderson Quality of Life indicators  coming up here next. Extra, supplementary study of these indicators is recommended via calvert-henderson.com for instance.



Next week study:
Ch 3 deepening (host Iain)
Ch 4 (host: Rona)
further ahead:
skipping Ch 5 and tackle it with Louis when he comes in February
CH 6 (host : Evie)
Ch 7 (host : Sue)


 Practical Matters decided:
  • ·         to meet now weekly even though some people might not be able to make it more than fortnightly because missing out one now doesn't mean missing out a month with the slow speed study we seem to have. (Sue and Ruth to secure booking of rooms with ALP)
  • ·         draft flyer for creche supported sessions accepted; date's entered b y hand once above confirmed; Ruth to firm up the digital flyers
  • ·         Evie flyering today during food co-op at ALP
  • ·         Evie and Bill will co-ordinate the planned four 4 Horsemen film cafe nights next year
  • ·         who can will try to get to the 4 Horsemen film showing tonight at Welcoming Cinema club





Wednesday 5 December 2012

Circle Practice #5 - 22nd November

Session Notes by Rona:


Host Bill, Guardian Iain, with Betty , Anneruth, Rona and joined by John (an AL guest) for part of time..

Bill read out bits of chapter 2: Ownership and the Gifts of the Earth.
 In the chapter Louis described an inner experience he had in 1987.
We discussed the similar ideas in other cultures such as native American and Gaelic culture. i.e. Not possible to own a hill or the sky.
The group generally agreed with the idea we are only stewards of the earth  and should be  looking after it for future generations.
Bill described his experience of living with people who had nothing but were the most generous he had come across.
We agreed that material things are not what makes us happy, we were fooled and  conned into massive consumerism time after time
(well some of us ) The need to possess
Bill felt he was the least spiritual in the group and was at odds with the idea that" this surge of love rising up from below,which I experienced as the love of mother earth" (page 9)

We then looked at The Four Actions Louis outlined to move to an economy that was fair sustainable and caring.


We felt that there were some inspirational examples of  how things have been changing that way already.
.Iain is investigating St Germaine Prosperity fund .
other samples included:
Pollock Free State and the Galgael (Govan)
Rudolph Steiner Schools and Camphill (world wide)
The Common Good land. 
We agreed that cultures which had remained closer to the natural world were the ones that seemed  to care and share for each other. 
It was difficult to see  though how this could change the financial sector as it seemed too huge. 

Next time, 6th December:  Chapter 3 -hosted by Iain and Rona hosting Ch#4

Other homework:
Over the next two weeks we would also think about the option to have weekly study circle, partly to make better headway with the book, partly also because the benefit of weekly Circle Council practice was missed. Additional consideration were that if one misses a session in a weekly cycle one can get back quicker, rather than a month's gap.
Implications on childcare need to be thought through and all voices heard.

Tuesday 4 December 2012

Study Circle now weekly with Creche!

Flyer updated as of 6th December: join us now next week, 13th



Great Opportunity! Our Study Circle now with Crèche! 
Beat the economic blues by educating yourself about REAL economy!


6 sessions with crèche have been scheduled
and can be continued if there is demand

starts this Tomorrow
2 December sessions (6th and 13th)
will recommence beginning of January
for 4 more Thursday sessions
(dates to be confirmed)

SEIZE THE DAY
TODAY
and book your place!

and: PASS THE WORD!!

The Four Horsemen film this Thursday





Free showing of the Four Horseman Film
This Thursday, 6th December, 6.30pm - 9pm
at ALP 


Cinema, the art that welcomes all! The Welcoming Cinema Club is part of the Welcoming Project and the Tollcross Community Centre on 117 Fountainbridge. Every Thursday from 6:30 to 9 come along and watch a movie from different communities for free. Edinburgh EH3 9QG

come along and educate yourself!


for more selected clips of film click here

   
SEED will revisit the film next year again, with the view of kick starting more dialogue on its themes and 27 principles Ross Ashcroft and team have identified.

You can read the 27 principles here
http://www.renegadeeconomist.com/fourhorsemenfilm/the-27-principles.html

"The .... list is neither definitive nor exhaustive, but it summarizes the main points of Four Horsemen: The Survival Manual and is provided here as a starting point for further discussion.

Creating a set of principles on which to base a successful process of global political and economic change has to be a collaborative project. To this end everyone is welcome to comment or make suggestions for their improvement."
or you can get the book  here 

Please stay in touch and join in the dialogue now : A better world IS possible!
It depends on us making and sustaining the whole-picture connection TOGETHER.


Wednesday 21 November 2012

Circle Council Practice #4 - 8th November

This time we forgot to agree on a scribe, so, today, on the eve of session #5, we have nothing written up of our 4th session!

Well, lets make a valiant effort to remember what was two weeks ago.

Present were Anneruth, Betty, Bill, Charlie, Dazey, Rona and Sue, with apologies from Evie (who urgently needs childcare!) and Iain.

Setting the centre:
Bill brought a Mayan frog (well, one made out of metal!) to honour what had value to them and his connection with Nicaragua. Charlie brought a crystal he uses to cleanse water. Rona brought fruits of the earth, Sue a little tiny booklet called the name of which I have forgotten, but it's one sentence sayings referred to simplicity and small is beautiful, and I brought a handmade glass pendant I got given in Germany that week - and as I have a picture of that I add it here

As celebratory opening of Circle we went round reading each one reading one page/sentence of the pearls of simplicity of Sues little book.
To welcome Charlie back and Betty anew, we went slowly over the agreements.

As Dazey had not managed to prepare his reading and as Iain had not managed to come in this time, I had to step in and take us through the two 'host-less' sections, second part of the intro which was still outstanding and Ch. 1. I did not find it easy hosting because a) I was not fully prepared to do the hosting and b) our chosen method of studying is different from last term (where we read aloud page by page of the chosen texts) and most folks had not read the chapters yet in depth.
To get more hard copy texts was an issue identified, and action is being taken.



Intro core points:

  • To welcome the very personal nature of the book, esp the beginning of it. Louis shared his personal journey, and his unique way of seeing, finding and relating to universal truths underpinning a sane economy.
  • moving from fear to love in our relationship with money. For Louis those 2 are fundamental 'rightful' forces of human nature influencing our choices in life and in economy - fear disables, love enables caring for everything. That outcome was felt to make sense, but the notion of the two being 'rightful' was being questioned: "How can it be 'rightful' to have fear?" (what does he mean, really?)
  • Louis Plan of Action: the wish to start a platform of conversation on Dare to Care and people working together: question arose where was the 'platform' - how active is it, and how does it work to join in if one is not online sort of person? 

Ch #1 Core points:
quote from p3:
MY INTENTION
I am writing this bookwith the intention for all humanityto see and dream a visionof a new economic foundationand be able to implement it.I believe that our need for vision is deepand I want to make my contribution toward itby sharing insights and revelations I received over the yearsin my search for an answer to the question: How we can resolve our financial and economic issues andestablish peace on Earth?
  • introducing the notion of stage 1, the 'Garden' section of the book: we are curious to learn over the weeks to come why Louis introduces this notion, dream or vision. Are we to 'revert' to a paradisaical state? But we are living in cities now,  most of mankind? 
  • stage 2: 'a love based economy', an intellectual and emotional inner structure as foundation for new culture. Good idea. But how could that be realised when glitz and glamour tempts people at every corner and traps them, what ever their money supply (eg also the so-called poor)? The hugeness of the brainwash all societies are living in was felt ... 
  • part 3: "A Care First World"  a portal stage/phase where Care-First as a measure opens the gate to the Garden made manifest? Sounds easy, but as not knowing what the balanced wellbeing of each being (hnman or non human) intrinsically means - how can we make choices, alone and together?
All in all, the reflections on the readings so far was mainly critical and curious as what Louis sees the way forward is for a complex and rather fundamental process of structural transformation of society!

It was decided to ask Louis to come at a later session (not the next one on the 22nd as original thought) so we have had more time to read and reflect on his book before he comes.

Homework:
reading the next 3 chapters
Bill to host Ch #2
Charlie & Iain Ch  #3
Rona & Dazey Ch # 4

and we see how far we get on with it all in 2 weeks on the 22nd of November

Rona and Sue will via ALP further investigate child care possibilities for Evie



Wednesday 7 November 2012

Circle council practise number 3 Thurs 25th October.



Write up by Sue - from memory:
Well, our start time was a little earlier than last time so we are moving in the right direction !  It was good to welcome Rona to the group and Evie’s son was a welcome visitor. We appreciated that Bill came despite little sleep.
We reviewed the agreements in the circle and all noted them to increase our ownership of them.
Ruth again prepared for the centre, so it would still be good if the rest of us put thought into bringing something to it.
I read my poem ‘It’s Criminal’ and felt the circle was an appropriate and  sufficiently supportive group to read it to for the first time. I appreciate the comments that people made.
We all talked about our recollections of the previous discussion of the book.
The Introduction (pt 1)
Ruth invited us to talk about our own personal relationship to money, which we did. Louis is highlighting concepts which are not new. There was a general agreement that it is the intention behind the use of money that is important.  
There was discussion about companies that use sustainability as a marketing ploy and fail to live up to the principles of a love economy.
The personal journey
Gave opinions about whether the love economy principles are likely to ripple out from a local to a global institutional level. Heart –warming examples were given on a local level and there was discussion about how doubting the ripple  effect can feed into creating failure/self-fulfilling prophecies.
There was discussion about the language in which the book is written, and the personal spiritual experience which informed the direction of his theories. We agreed that we could read for the content regardless of feelings which the language may evoke, and talked about what->
Next
We agreed to continue discussion of our reading next week.  Louis will come to the  following meeting and we thought that we may want to invite him back again later when we are further through the book.
When hosting a chapter we agreed to invite people to think about .
  1.     What facts have you learned?
  2.    What are your feelings about this chapter?
  3.   What action might you take as a result?
Hosts for next session on the 8th of November – as far as we remember right now – were to be:
Intro revisited            Iain or Ruth?
Chapter 1                  Christopher
Ch. 2                          Bill
Ch. 3                          Evie
Ch. 4                          Rona
In general: we wish to progress a bit faster now through the chapters, to get ready for Louis!





Tuesday 23 October 2012

Session notes from CCP 11th October

Here is Evie's write from our second session. 

Third session is this Thursday 9.30 - 11.30.

Newcomers welcome. The sessions are free of monetary charge, but are highly charged with the power of transformation. You have been warned! :-)

A democratic learning community. 

CCP 2 (Circle Council Practise #2 autumn 2012)


Well I think its fair to say we got off to a rather late start yet that seemed to have a very powerful learning experience for the group, and we did appear to develop a greater understanding of our own needs and the needs of others through it. It would be interesting to hear others account of this process and unravel what the actual learning was? I sense some have a need to go slow and others have a need to be on course. The question we need to now ask is how can we move forward in a way that promotes equality between both needs?

A Circle Learning Journey has begun.

Our preparation for the Centre was created by Ruth who seems to be a sole contributor to the centre setting therefore I'd like to urge the others and including myself to take some ownership for our centre, and bring what feels important to our overall higher intent.

Bill took the opportunity to do our agreements:

  • Honour time keeping
  • Clockwise movement
  • Value agreements made
  • Collate possible action points
  • Honour living words
  • Honour ripple space
  • Incorporate lightness
  • Listen with curiosity and compassion
  • Honour wholeness of talking stick
  • Only when everyone's needs are met are everyone's needs met


Setting our Intent for the session

It was noted that this is ordinarily done prior to our meeting however it seemed to be a nice process to go through it face to face and I enjoyed hearing it being formulated 'live'.

The Intent:
To learn and study the book, gathering the essence of its meaning and thus learning how we can switch from a fear based economy to a love based economy, one that enhances and protects people and our environment.

Does that resonate with people?

Evie read the first words aloud and brought us into Circle. We followed this by reading the foreword.

Check in raised issues around time and Sue feeling slightly ill

Foreword:

On reading the foreword it stimulated an open round discussion on the content. It was raised that their was a great amount of time spent on understanding the network of people who were involved in the process of this book coming into being. Anneruth was able to bring the foreword to life with her well researched understanding of the different organisations that are working towards a love based economy.

The discussion that took place seemed to open up to the heart of the economic trouble, and seemed to tap into very relevant concepts that the group are trying to understand. In this way, the book seems to stimulate thinking along the right lines and offers an opportunity for us to change the kind of debates we are having, albeit with a rather small group of people.

We agreed on a format for our next sessions

Next Session:

Getting in for 9.30am with a prompt start @ 10.00am
Therefore all coffee and social chatting to be done and ready to move into circle time thereafter.

Host for the next sessions as follows

Ruth:                     Preface and Introduction
Sue:                      My Story
Christopher:            Chapter 1
Bill:                        Chapter 2
Evie:                      Chapter 3

Check out
3 words to sum up feelings :D

Peas Love and Bumble Bees

Evie

Saturday 6 October 2012

We have started! (27th Sept 2012)



1st Circle Council Practise session at ALP

(A democratic learning community. Adult Learning Project, Tollcross Community Centre, 117 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh EH3 9QG)

 following our plans from here:




present: Bill, Chris (for second half), Evie, Ruth, Sue
apologies: Barbara, (Rona)           

Centre setting:
Handmade round rug (spun yarn crocheted) with felted symbol (tripple spiral in yellow and 3 orcas; symbol of many things such tripple ripple, mother ocean, northern hemnisphere,  community nurturing, respecting); green alabaster candle holder from Egypt, holding rose nightlight; Sequioa  pinecone, largest plant organism on earth, tiniest seed that needs maturing in forest fires and then grows into fire-resistant barked tree tower, red wood; this pinecone comes from Dawyck, Merlindale in the Borders; original Redwood from eastern USA. These objects were brought by one person today (Ruth as first part host). (Please everyone bring something next time;-) )




Intent setting:
To find the best foundation for this block of sessions.
Evie lit candle and took on guardian role.

Tune-in text:
??? (a nice one, but Ruth cant remember !!)

Check in:
everyone glad to be here; hoping to be find best steps for foundation for sessions


Part 1: intro to Circle Way, for Sue and as refresher for all
Host had written up Circle Way basics and we went through point up point. Very satisfactory free conversation style bringing elements together to remember, share and celebrate the principles and practises of Circle.
Brief conversation as to whether in future this in depth Circle intro is needed for new folks or not. Decision made: if it is only one - this person to be briefed by one member of Circle in advance. If more folks come: to devote beginning of main Circle Session to it.

Part 2: recruitment
Chris  joins in
Host: Evie; Guardian: Bill
circle way sharing of what we thought of time/place of sessions so far:
good place; time manageable; we better stay here; the two weekly cycle makes it more attractive;
 not enough people here; how can we reach out to more: library (Bill), word of mouth (all)
Barbara and Ronan will join us later in October

add other things to next flyer: declare that is community action (it is in fact, and it might attract more peeps)
present big double sided flyer: maybe the notion of two much choice kept peeps away ?
Chris will be here at 9am to set up kettle and circle
Starting to have read the agreed choice of our book would be best

part 3: choosing book to study
Bill: host; Ruth: Guardian
the 6 books laid out in circle
round robin for each to say pros and cons they are aware of for themselves. and to list two books as their best choice, and to say why
Evie: +: Counter Power CP / 4 Horsemen (comprehensive manual)
Chris:. no to CP (to easy to read), yes to D2C (start change with us) and the 4HM (in depth packed)
Sue: D2C (hasn't looked into others) and see advantages in it having e-copies and author can be invited
Ruth: not CP, D2C, Agenda for new economy, then 4 horsemen (looks for both help in understanding current system and been given nutshell compact set of points looking at everything that needs to change)
Bill: not CP; the 4 horse men, D2C
choice: Dare to Care to start with; then the 4HM
Ruth to get in touch with Louis to see how to get hold of e-copy

check out:
everybody amazed as to how easy choosing was; reflecting on the power of deep listening and visible intent setting; consensus on wanting to study a book that gave them tools to help change system
round off: Bill's song ;-)
coffee in the new Forest Cafe! (at Toll Cross)

Next session planning:
still to be done:
                determine host and guardian
                create oaablog platform for both private team space (plan sessions)
Homework: Reading the first Part of Dare to Care (up to page 46)
                     and bring something along that can contribute to the Centre Piece to represent our intent:
Intent:  to practise Circle Council  by studying Dare to Care