Talking sticks and listening sticks

Wed Apr 28 11:58:36 PDT 2004

Alex Kjerulf has this cool little shocking pink foam rubber brain that he
used as a talking/listening object when we opened space at the KaosPilots in
Denmark.  Inspired me to find something that light and portable - found a
great little stuffed bumblebee.  The last OST I facilitated in AZ was
extremely time challenged.  That little bee "flew" around the room, enabling
everyone (in the crowd of 100 or so) who wanted to, to share their
reflections in the 10 remaining minutes.  Even better, when someone tossed
that bee, the whole crowd began to say, "buzz."  Good vibrations all around.

I also have a favorite talking stick I found when I was calling to something
to make itself known to me.  I was near my favorite meditation rock in the
desert near my home.  Looks just like a snake and is fairly long and twisted
which makes it a challenge to pack.

Christine

  -----Original Message-----
  From: OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU]On Behalf Of Joelle
Lyons Everett
  Sent: Tuesday, April 27, 2004 10:58 PM
  To: OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
  Subject: Re: Talking sticks and listening sticks

  Phil--

  If I bring the talking stick for a meeting, I usually choose something
from my own land--a fresh cedar branch (like Harrison, I don't put it in the
trash, but take it home, return it to the woods or sometimes burn it, with a
ritual of thanks), or a piece of driftwood from the beach, to which I may
add a couple of shells, or some fresh ivy, or a few flowers tied on with a
bit of ribbon, depending on the season.  I look for something that feels
comfortable in my hand, and if I add something to it, I leave a stretch of
branch that is easy to hold.  In other contexts, I may stack two or three
felt-tip pens into a "stick" and pass that, for groups that are leary of
something with "mystical" or other strange connotations.

  I usually ask the planning group whether they have some object of special
significance they would like to use, and some do.  One client brought her
"magic wand," a clear plastic tube with glitter that floated up and down.
Another brought two rocks, one with a hollow on top and a smaller egg-shaped
rock that sits in the hollow.  A member of the organization, not the one who
donated the rocks, spoke briefly but eloquently about their meaning.These
rocks have attended a number of meetings now, and have a place of honor in
the office.

  In a couple of instances where a key person was leaving the organization,
I have made a talking stick, used it in the closing circle, and then
presented it to the person who is leaving, as a tangible farewell from the
group.

  I'm in the "pass-it-around" camp, unless the group is very large, and
suggest that those who choose not to speak hold the stick for a moment,
receiving the attention of the group, before they pass it along.

  I'm loving to hear all the variations of this common theme--it reinforces
my feeling that there is no one right way to do this closing, but finding
some way to do it is powerful.

  Joelle * * ==========================================================
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