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.