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To the OS list:<br>
<br>
Here is an in-process draft of a write-up on "Sacred Circles" that came out
of Open Space. Any comments and/or changes to improve it would be greatly
appreciated.<br>
<br>
Happy 2004!<br>
<br>
Peter & Esther Fisher<br>
Asheville, NC<b><br>
<br>
SACRED CIRCLES<br>
</b><br>
The Asheville, North Carolina Sacred Circle came together in October 2003
out of an Open Space event. We consider ourselves "spiritual pioneers” as
we explore spirit together and continue to evolve our Sacred Circle. But as
we note below, it is not for everyone. <br>
<br>
Our Sacred Circle is a process of deep expression, listening and hearing by
every member of the Circle, as we consider each other’s responses. We are
open to quiet, to song, to toning, to talking, to acting and to expressing
and just to be or do “whatever”. We are respectful of each other’s expression
and there is a goodly amount of “space” between our participations so that
no one feels hurried, pushed or cut off. We watch and listen closely for threads
of commonality and diversity. Both are desirable. We evolve and spiral --
in usually about two hours -- through layers of our personal and group spiritual
awakening and reawakening. We often come to an “ideal” vision or situation
-- for the moment -- and are then always quite ready for the next outworking
-- to yet another ever more new reality. It is an exciting and deeply satisfying
process of love outworking.<br>
<br>
We believe that Sacred Circles inform the next step in humanity’s conscious
evolution. It just might be incumbent on some pioneering wise, spiritual and
thinking people to experience these new ways of being, of participation and
of self-organization. It can jump start our conscious evolution toward more
profound understandings of our new world -- that seem quite necessary in
our world today, for the New Millennium.<br>
Some say we are similar to the Friends (Quaker) religion, and we do not
mind that comparison, however we have absolutely no creed, no hierarchy,
no history, no expectations, no fixed beliefs -- and we are simply not part
of any official religious connection nor denomination. We do not have ministers,
assistants or hierarchy of any sort. <br>
We all participate and it is heart warming to feel the Circle come alive
each time with that participation. (As John Stewart, of The Daily Show said
on the Larry King program recently: "we don't need anyone to interpret God
for us!") Those of us who participate in the Circle have a direct connection
to whatever we each sense God to be. We consider ourselves wise, spiritual
God beings having a human experience. We know we have absolute CHOICE in our
lives! Something beautiful and sustaining happens as we “do whatever we do."<br>
Sacred Circles are creative, self-organizing, non-hierarchal and participative.
In our Sacred Circle we assume that all participants are both learners and
teachers, both students and ministers, and that each and all bring valuable
wisdom, knowledge and life perspective to the Sacred Circle. Our Sacred Circle
is collaborative and transformative, resulting in many altered states of being,
individually and collectively. Sometimes we go beyond BEING to DOING -- with
personal or collective action -- spiritual, social, cultural or otherwise.
We endeavor to always be in the NOW!<br>
<br>
Sacred Circles have several precursors. Open Space, developed by Harrison
Owen, is primary. Open Space is a group dialogue “technology” and more importantly
a way of life --much as Sacred Circles. Except Open Space events are usually
held for hundreds, even thousands of people at the same time (over 1 to 3
days) with techniques to break into smaller groups. As we implied above, our
Sacred Circle was sparked by and evolved out of an Open Space event.<br>
<br>
The Open Space phenomenon is an organic approach to facilitation of groups
of people and a style of living. It enables a very natural process of self-organization
found everywhere in nature. Open space works by creating a simple structure
through the application of a few simple rules and allows for a free flow of
communication between all its parts. Inside this process, groups unfold in
a seemingly random fashion, but in truth, its participants interact guided
by their passions and natural attractions. Thus was our Sacred Circle created.<br>
<br>
We also found the Sacred Circle approach written about by James Redfield
in his “Celestine Prophecy” where he said: “Part of the Eighth Insight is
learning to interact consciously.” This entire approach, however, also harks
back to the 60’s when George Leonard, then a Look magazine editor and a New
Age proponent, wrote a small book entitled “Education and Ecstasy” that was
about a possible new state of being. It was about all of us having been brought
up to sit quietly in rows in school as small children, about having been required
to be attentive to the pronouncements of others as youths and about sitting
in audiences, churches and seminars as adults even today -- listening to
others talk AT US. The old idea was that others knew more than we did. <br>
<br>
We are changing that! Some of us have discovered that we have a very strong
passion to explore our spiritual wisdom together in Sacred Circles. <br>
<br>
Sacred Circles are not for everyone, however. One almost has to feel restlessness
with his or her current spiritual practices. Those who seem to take to the
Circles most have that passion to express their wisdom in interaction and
participation with others. These Circles require a profound level of presence
and awareness. <br>
<br>
If one is still very comfortable and content with others taking the primary
responsibility for one’s religious or spiritual sustenance and consideration,
then the Circle is probably not right yet. If one can accept a temporarily
greater degree of uncertainty and looseness they may wish to meditate on their
motives for attendance at their current religious or spiritual practices.
<br>
<br>
If one has any degree of passion or restlessness toward greater participation,
they may wish to attend a Sacred Circle. If you do decide to attend a Circle,
please give it a good try, and participate fully three or four times until
it “feels” comfortable. There is always a time of angst in “leaving” old familiar
friends, practices and expectations. At any rate one can soon find a new
community of friends and caring fellow seekers in a Spiritual Circle that
will be most supportive, loving and caring -- if you simply give it a chance.
<br>
<br>
We would love to have you join with us or help you get started where you
are! Please call or contact us if you are interested in any way. <br>
<br>
With love,<br>
The Asheville Sacred Circle<br>
Asheville, North Carolina<br>
828-298-5800
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