Lisa:<br>
<br>
Of course there is a long tradition of circle gatherings in prisons
with Native Brotherhoods, for all the reasons you cite...they are
powerful, healing, non-outwardly chaotic processes. <br>
<br>
Certainly, PeerSpirit Ciricling as a formal process would be well suited for prison work.<br>
<br>
But I also wanted to remind you of the circle you held for us at OSonOS
this year where participants were you kicked off the conversation by
turning to the person on your left and asked a question. THe're
job was to answer the question and then turn to THEIR left and ask the
next person a question, and so on. <br>
<br>
It was one of the most powerful, and elegantly simple, processes for
balancing advocacy and inquiry, and it just got deeper and deeper as we
went along.<br>
<br>
Thanks for your reflections here. They are really useful.<br>
<br>
Chris<br><br><div><span class="gmail_quote">On 11/9/05, <b class="gmail_sendername">Lisa Heft</b> <<a href="mailto:lisaheft@openingspace.net">lisaheft@openingspace.net</a>> wrote:</span><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Hi, all –</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I just wanted to share that last week I was
working inside two women's prisons in Central California.</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">One of the things I was doing was training
inmates who are peer health educators – on a new curriculum I developed
that teaches other inmates who are about to be released about HIV/AIDS,
hepatitis, sexually transmitted diseases, how substance use affects disease
transmission and progression, self-esteem, and communication in relationships.</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The other thing I did was the reason I was thinking
of you all – I also attend the annual prison health fair at several
prisons, where I set up a circle of chairs so people can just talk and converse
and ask questions about absolutely anything that is important to them.<span> </span><span>Because that is
health, too.</span></span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">So this last time I had the pleasure of
hosting an all-day talking circle. <span> </span>Or
maybe I should call it a listening circle?</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">It's the closest thing to Open Space I
can get – in prison you cannot do anything that an onlooker (say a guard
looking down from a tower or across a prison yard) might interpret as
chaos.<span> </span>Therefore, so far I cannot set
up a delightful-chaos-of-Open Space situation. But I can do one circle, that
lasts for a <span>day, that</span> goes wherever anyone wants it to
go.</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">As this was during the health fair (imagine
a big gymnasium – along the walls are tables with community agency
representatives offering brochures and information - Planned Parenthood,
transitional houses, family support agencies); and in the center, a circle of
chairs. <span> </span>With a sign that says "Join
the conversation".<span> </span>In other
prisons I have done this outside on the exercise yard. <span> </span></span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Yes, it's a health fair.<span> </span>And yes, I am there to answer any questions
anyone has about health issues. <span> </span>I
am also a health educator so I can share general health education about a
cross-section of concerns.</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">But it's mostly about listening.<span> </span><span>And inviting others to
share their thoughts.</span><span> </span>And
about affirmation, and about belief, and about support for people to take good
care of themselves and each other.<span> </span><span>To treasure themselves.</span><span>
</span>It's really a participant-led conversation, with me doing some
deep listening and holding space for participants in the circle to share,
support each other, listen, and just be in a safe space. <span> </span></span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Here are some of the topics that came up.
The participants shifted and changed throughout the day.<span> </span>There had been some sort of fight the
day before, so the institution was on a modified 'lock down' (lock
down is when you must stay in your cell with the door locked and cannot leave for
days – usually inmates can leave to go to their meals and prison jobs, as
long as they have 'ducats' – papers that give them permission
to move about the prison for a specific reason or appointment).<span> </span>So on this day, only one 'yard'
at a time (one section of the prison) was allowed to come to the health fair,
so the overall population did not mix.<span>
</span>So we sort of had 3 sessions (though the law of 2 feet and butterflies
and bumblebees were definitely in effect throughout the duration).</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Topics included:</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -33.2pt;"><font face="Wingdings" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Wingdings;"><span>§<font face="Times New Roman" size="1"><span>
</span></font></span></span></font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Methamphetamines (serious
drugs – this topic came up several times during the Talking Circle, as
some are in prison because of it and some have seen their loved ones affected
by it)</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-left: 1in;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -33.2pt;"><font face="Wingdings" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Wingdings;"><span>§<font face="Times New Roman" size="1"><span>
</span></font></span></span></font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Fibroids (non-cancerous
tumors in the uterus)</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-left: 1in;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -33.2pt;"><font face="Wingdings" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Wingdings;"><span>§<font face="Times New Roman" size="1"><span>
</span></font></span></span></font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Cysts in breasts (they feel
like lumps)</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-left: 1in;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -33.2pt;"><font face="Wingdings" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Wingdings;"><span>§<font face="Times New Roman" size="1"><span>
</span></font></span></span></font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Inner peace (how to achieve
peace amidst the chaos and constriction of being in prison – these are
women who are housed 8 or 9 in a cell that was originally designed for 2 people)</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-left: 1in;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -33.2pt;"><font face="Wingdings" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Wingdings;"><span>§<font face="Times New Roman" size="1"><span>
</span></font></span></span></font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Access to proper diagnosis
and appropriate treatment (inside prison, doctors are often unable to access
and prescribe certain medications, and may not have access to diverse tests and
laboratory analysis; there may also be some communication issues with some
inmates feeling listened to or not by some clinicians)</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-left: 1in;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -33.2pt;"><font face="Wingdings" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Wingdings;"><span>§<font face="Times New Roman" size="1"><span>
</span></font></span></span></font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Drug use and self-esteem
(how when you use drugs it erases your outline, in a way – the boundary
between your self and the world / others, so that you may not care for or
protect yourself during those times; but you may use drugs because you need to
erase bad feelings or because you do not love yourself)</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-left: 1in;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -33.2pt;"><font face="Wingdings" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Wingdings;"><span>§<font face="Times New Roman" size="1"><span>
</span></font></span></span></font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Relationships (speaking up
for your needs, getting away from abuse, finding another someone who treats you
as a treasure)</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-left: 1in;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -33.2pt;"><font face="Wingdings" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Wingdings;"><span>§<font face="Times New Roman" size="1"><span>
</span></font></span></span></font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">The oppression (my word) of
the system (the experience of being in prison)</span></font></p>
<p style="margin-left: 1in;"><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -33.2pt;"><font face="Wingdings" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Wingdings;"><span>§<font face="Times New Roman" size="1"><span>
</span></font></span></span></font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Menopause and
hysterectomies</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p style="margin-left: 1in; text-indent: -33.2pt;"><font face="Wingdings" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: Wingdings;"><span>§<font face="Times New Roman" size="1"><span>
</span></font></span></span></font><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Meditation (how to start,
how to practice, in a place where there is no quiet time or private space)</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Most of these women come from communities,
families and lives where nobody ever told them anything about health, and they
may not access healthcare due to lack of resources or mobility. <span> </span>They mostly come from lower income
communities. Then they come into prison and sometimes they stay for decades, so
health issues around aging and depression are added to their worries.<span> </span>There are also myths about health being
shared as truths, because in most institutions there is no education regarding
health.<span> </span></span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">I thought you might like a little look into
this rich setting for dialogue, conversation and holding space,</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Lisa </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"> </span></font></p>
<p><font color="black" face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: black;">___________________________</span></font><span></span></p>
<p><b><font color="blue" face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: blue; font-weight: bold;">L i s
a<span> </span>H e f t</span></font></b></p>
<p><font color="blue" face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: blue;">Consultant, Facilitator, Educator</span></font></p>
<p><font color="blue" face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 11pt; color: blue;">O p e n i n g<span> </span>S p a c e</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">2325 Oregon</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">Berkeley, California</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">94705-1106<span> </span>USA</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">+01 510 548-8449</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><a href="mailto:lisaheft@openingspace.net" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><font color="black"><span style="color: black;">
lisaheft@openingspace.net</span></font></a></span></font><span></span></p>
<p><font face="Trebuchet MS" size="2"><span style="font-size: 10pt;"><a href="http://www.openingspace.net" target="_blank" onclick="return top.js.OpenExtLink(window,event,this)"><font color="black"><span style="color: black;">
www.openingspace.net</span></font></a>
</span></font></p>
<p><font face="Times New Roman" size="3"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></font></p>
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</blockquote></div><br><br clear="all"><br>-- <br><br>CHRIS CORRIGAN<br>Consultation - Facilitation<br>Open Space Technology<br><br>Weblog: <a href="http://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot">http://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot
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