[ChatAction] Global scale study circles

Tue Dec 29 11:07:28 MST 2020

Yes, Karen – this is absolutely true – and it’s important.

On the Quakers, for example – I have studied and experienced their community decision-making process.

Yes, it operates “in a circle” – and the decision-making process is “convergent” – but not only that – it is “resonantly convergent” –

And more than this – it is guided under the common ground of “seeking the Will of God” – as you say, Karen – “seeking universal spirit”

Which means that every thought entered into the circle discussion is entered in the co-creative spirit of resonance – based on cocreative listening (or indeed, “sacred listening” – which in more secular contexts might mean “with respect to the Whole”)

There is a lot of material out there on circles – we could compile a small encyclopedia – but I see it all as proceeding under the common principles of resonance, convergence, and collective guidance with respect to the whole.

This picture shows “circle” as it is commonly practiced in an informed setting – something at the center that acts as a “focus” – that that focus can have many meanings.

And yes, Parker Palmer is another great resource.  If we wanted to build an authoritative and highly credible international network, we would want him on board.

Chief Phil Lane and his buddy Jon Ramer are absolutely about circles.  Everybody should have this idea burned in:

“Starting From Within, Working in a Circle, in a Sacred Manner, We Heal and Develop Ourselves, Our Relationships, and the World.”   

They have a major PDF on this subject: https://www.fwii.net/profiles/blogs/sixteen-guiding-principles-for

I have been studying this subject for a long time.  There are many groups that consider these issues, but an important one is the National Coalition for Dialogue and Deliberation – 

https://ncdd.org/

I also like Art of Hosting

https://www.artofhosting.org/

>From Phil Lane and Jon Ramer:

Bruce Schuman

Santa Barbara CA USA

bruceschuman at cox.net <mailto:bruceschuman at cox.net>  / 805-705-9174

www.origin.org <http://www.origin.org> 

From: Karen Ball <bluebonnetkaren at gmail.com> 
Sent: Tuesday, December 29, 2020 9:31 AM
To: bruceschuman at cox.net
Cc: ChatAction List <chataction at communitymagic.org>
Subject: Re: [ChatAction] Global scale study circles

As I read through this, I have a question regarding the "study circles".  Does anyone see parallels to how indigenous communities and Quakers handle decision making?  Perhaps, we should reach out to indigenous communities and the Quakers; they could guide us in discernment of how the Universal Spirit may be collectively calling us.  I suggest Parker Palmer and the Center for Courage and Renewal would be great partners to our Chat Action efforts.

Peace,

Karen

On Mon, Dec 28, 2020 at 5:00 PM Bruce Schuman via ChatAction <chataction at communitymagic.org <mailto:chataction at communitymagic.org> > wrote:

Today, I’ve been working though the ideas and vision of Duane Elgin.  His vision is so in-synch with everything I am doing.  He was working with Jim Garrison in the 1990’s

Right now, I am particularly excited about his ideas for “Study Circles”.

In this PDF, he outlines the basic principles behind Study Circles – which I tend to see as the most powerful organizing idea in the world, and probably the master-design for the emerging new world – if there is to be one and we survive our initiation.

Take a look at this:

https://duaneelgin.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/global_consciousness.pdf

This is not newbie stuff.  This is master vision from the masters, written in simple and highly intuitive terms.

And what is exciting for me is – the entire framework is written as a series of questionnaires – surveys. 

Duane Elgin worked with “electronic town halls” for years.  Maybe this is the new design for a vast electronic town hall.  That would be my dream.

Malini – I actually think this meets all your standards.  I think that is  probably true for just about everybody on Chat Acton.  This IS an “action path” – maybe the most powerful collective action path ever possible – and maybe the only way we human beings could possibly move forward together in a way that converges into wholeness and ONE.

Duane Elgin:

https://duaneelgin.com/

https://choosingearth.org/

https://greattransitionstories.org/

Bruce Schuman

Santa Barbara CA USA

bruceschuman at cox.net <mailto:bruceschuman at cox.net>  / 805-705-9174

www.origin.org <http://www.origin.org> 

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