3 Paulo Freire Reading group sessions at ALP

With our recommendation:

ALP Paulo Freire: the first three 2013 session by

New Year starting

Just a quick note to say that last week, on the 10th of January, we had no Circle Council Practise session due to illness in last minute. Bill, Evie and Ruth were there, but because there was also no crerhe worker, we just spend the time catching up.

Tomorrow is next session with same schedule:

Next Session:

Thursday, 17th 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

Circle Practice #7 - 13th December 2012

Wishing all an enlightening midwinter circle holiday!

DaretoCare 13^th 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

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

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.

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 

by the Welcoming Cinema Club

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!

click here

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.