the right to treat each other well (long response)

[Chris Weaver]

Glory,

Thank you for:
"The more power, the more vulnerability"
which to me suggests that an ethic, or spirituality, of vulnerability is at
the heart of transformative power...
and also for:
"response-ability"
...what a useful & evocative turn-of-phrase!
and also for:
the report about your story circle.

Blessings,
Chris

----------
>From: Glory Ressler <on.the.edge at sympatico.ca>
>To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
>Subject: Re: [OSLIST] the right to treat each other well (long response)
>Date: Thu, Oct 18, 2001, 10:45 AM
>

> Alan,
> Thank you for your post on this subject.  Beware my response is long -
> let it be a testimony to the richness of your original sharing!
> I found it very thought-provoking and concur with you, especially:
>>How much of the richness of life is enhanced, individually and
> collectively, every time each of us  moves towards another as a
> fundamental way of being?<
>
> I had a very powerful experience of this just yesterday when I
> facilitated a story circle (very similar to wisdom circles, dialogue
> circles, leadership circles - like From the Four Directions, etc.. and
> very akin to the principles of good conversation and what occurs in open
> space, I believe) for a group of 12 women entrepreneurs.  There are very
>
> multi-cultural and multi-faith in composition (muslim, christian,
> native, atheist AND african, arabic, south american, north american, and
> european).  The theme (as they are all developing speciality food
> products for wholesale and retail distribution) was:  "Stories from the
> Kitchen: Recipes for our Life".
> As in open space, I did little except to open the circle/space, set a
> few conditions (one was we NEED each other - together we are greater
> than any of us could be individually and that we have the right to treat
> each other well in order to get what we need), and hold the container.
> Below are a few of the feedback comments that illustrate the power of
> 'moving toward another as a fundamental way of being':
> ~ Mind blowing. Difficult to list all the emotions and thoughts that
> were present. This is a huge experience, that will be carried forward
> and built on. More pieces to the puzzle, more insight into what makes
> people tick.
> ~ We need much more than the obvious to make our dreams come true. We
> can get so much from each other and we have something of value to offer
> others. Thank you!
> ~ This was a beautiful experience! Although I found it difficult at
> first to even think of something worthwhile to contribute, once we got
> rolling, there was no stopping us! Tremendous sharing of "life altering"
> stories. Great human bonding through tears and laughter.
> ~ I will remember the different experiences and it will have a great
> impact on my future. I am very grateful to be a part of this... I can't
> believe how my thinking will change the rest of my life.
> ~ I will always remember this day and keep it near to my heart and I
> will never forget the caring and loving people in it.
>
> To other aspects of your post - I would add that our right to treat each
> other well is a right born of all autonomous entities.  Rights also have
> corresponding responsibilities that are attached.  I am not speaking
> philosophically or spiritually here as much as evolutionarily.  In the
> nested web of universal being we (humans) are up there on the
> evolutionary scale and therefore have 'rights'.  However, our survival
> depends on supporting and maintaining the integrity of all that upon
> which we rest - a nation depends upon its citizens for its nationhood,
> individuals depend upon their own physiology for their being, which
> depends upon the plant and animal kingdom for survival, etc...  all the
> way down to the cellular and even atomic level.  It is this
> interdependency that attaches a requirement of response-ability.  The
> 'rights' afforded us are inseparable from the responsibilities we also
> bear as a function of our dependence. This is the paradoxical and
> mysterious nature of complexity and transformation - the more power you
> have (in the form of 'rights' and autonomy), the more dependent and
> interdependent you also become.   I see this in those who are leading
> the organizations I work with - the power also makes them vulnerable. It
> is my understanding that successful evolutionary adaptation, at this
> stage, must be based on cooperation and harmony with all other levels
> upon which we depend for our life.  This isn't a guarantee - we also
> have the right to self-destruct, alienate, etc...
>
> I would add, from my understanding and experience, that although we may
> not have an obligation to 'treat each other well', we do have a
> responsibility.  For me, this term takes a slightly different meaning
> than obligation or duty; one of response-ability.  We are able to
> respond in a myriad of ways, both as individuals and as a species.  We
> have the evolutionary capability and, given the current state of the
> larger environment, we also have a clear need, in terms of survival. The
> more the power, the more the vulnerability (direct relationship between
> rights and response-abilities)
>
> Open space is, in part, so valuable because it opens space for a wider
> range of choice in responding.  Obviously this is no guarantee - we can
> choose to respond in self-destructive ways.  And if we do so, I say 'so
> be it' - better for the overall endurance of healthy life, in general.
>
> I have digressed here from your points (hope you find them somehow
> meaningful!)....
>
> In the end, there endures that sense of mystery and wonder that is best
> tasted, by me,  through story, metaphor, deep conversation, moments of
> profound contact with some aspect of the universe (including other
> people!)...  One of my most important prompts for self-reflection, and
> which I regularly ask clients and students, is:
> What is my(your) relationship to mystery?  Do you dance, run, hide from,
>
> fight against, make love with, feel screwed by, etc....it?
>
> with great love, appreciation, and best wishes,
> glory
>
> *
> *
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