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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Hi all,<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">I promised to provide a description of the
Story Field Conference. Here’s the blow-by-blow version.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Conference reports are on a wiki, linked
from the conference web site: <A
href="http://www.storyfieldconference.net/">www.storyfieldconference.net</A>.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Note: I removed names in some places and
substituted descriptions (e.g., young, white man, person of color).<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The different roles seemed an important
part of the story, hence the labels.</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Enjoy,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Peggy</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">P.S. Apologies for the length. To
paraphrase the immortal words of Mark Twain, had I more time, this message would
be shorter!</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">*******************<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">THE STORY FIELD CONFERENCE,
2007<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">On August 26-31, 2007, eighty-three people
</SPAN>passionate about the role of story in shaping collective world view –
writers, artists, musicians, meta-story tellers and others – convened at
Shambhala Mountain Center in Red Feather, Colorado to consider these questions:
</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">What is the new story that is already
calling us?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">What emerging narrative is so powerful that
it draws us to hope, care, and engage?<o:p></o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">How can our stories actually shift society
into greater aliveness and wisdom?<o:p></o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 102.85pt"><B></B> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 102.85pt"><B>Background<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 102.85pt"><B><o:p> </o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 102.85pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">From the beginning, four threads wove
together to shape this conference:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: list .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">A clear intention
to more deeply understand and work with our cultural “story
field”;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: list .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">A diverse mix of
people to explore the questions posed; <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: list .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Attention to
diverse forms of presence (head, heart, body and spirit);
and<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; tab-stops: list .25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1"><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 8pt; FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN
style="mso-list: Ignore">·<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'">
</SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><SPAN style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Emergent process
to invite the greatest possible opportunity for novelty and
breakthrough.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">As envisioned, the conference unfolded in
wildly unexpected, challenging, and, for most, very productive
ways.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 102.85pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 102.85pt"><U><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Conference intention: Why come
together?<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">The
explicit focus of this conference was the culture’s “story field” -- the
meta-narrative -- that shapes our individual perceptions and behaviors and as
well as the systems (political, educations, economic, cultural, etc.) in which
we live. All around us are signs that an impulse is arising within the story
field to grow in its capacity to be spirit-full, life-serving, and
sustainable.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We posed the following
questions in the invitation:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">What is the new story that is already
calling us?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">What emerging narrative is so powerful that
it draws us to hope, care, and engage?<o:p></o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">How can our stories actually shift society
into greater aliveness and wisdom?<o:p></o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">Our
intention was to address these questions at a number of levels:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">1.
THEORY: deepening our awareness and understanding of story fields and their
dynamics — and the power of Story, in general.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">2.
WHAT EXISTS: deepening our awareness of how the existing story field shapes our
culture and mass consciousness.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">3.
WHAT WE WANT:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>exploring
life-serving narratives and how we might help them shift the story field we all
live in, including emerging technologies, innovations, collaborations, ancient
ways and knowings, and other possibilities and resources.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto">4.
ACTUALIZING IT: initiating efforts to spread more life-serving stories and help
people actually live into a more life-enhancing story field on the ground,
making it real in the world, so it becomes not just a told story or a believed
story but a rich fabric of mutually reinforcing lived stories, with more and
more people living it.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 102.85pt"><U><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"></SPAN></U> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 102.85pt"><U><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Participant Mix: Who needs to be in the
conversation?</SPAN></U></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 102.85pt"><SPAN><o:p><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"></SPAN></o:p></SPAN> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">From the beginning, we nurtured heartful,
purposeful connections among people working with meta-story to attract
respected, well-networked people from the ecology of the story field: novelists,
movie makers, artists, composers, performers, musicians, journalists,
historians, futurists, city planners, online game designers, and storytellers of
a dozen stripes.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>As catalytic
agents, we wished to ensure diversity in age, race, and experience – because a
rich stew disturbs and enriches, and if held well, can deepen and
transform.</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 102.85pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">In practice, we attracted great functional
diversity (see below), 17% people of color, including a handful of indigenous
people, 20% people under 30, and 56% women.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 102.85pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: 102.85pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">The different sub-cultures added immensely to
the conference experience, making visible the mix of co-existing story fields
which are always operating.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Grief,
anger, joy, shame, fear, played out as untold stories of the tensions between
male/female, western/indigenous, and white/non-white played out.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The celebration of youth/elder was also
present, as was the quietly accepted normalcy of
gay/straight.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 4.65pt; tab-stops: 124.0pt 172.0pt"><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><U><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Attention to Different Forms of Presence: How
did we ensure space for head, heart, body and spirit?<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><U><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"></SPAN></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"></SPAN></I> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Nourishing the Mind<o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Created online a wealth of materials on story
and story fields, a place to share our work and to be in conversation prior to
the gathering.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Hosted stories from three tellers of new
meta-narratives – Michael Dowd, Anodea Judith, and David
Korten<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Made space for all participants to offer the
inquiries they wish to pursue.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Nourishing the
Heart<o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Made space for the expression of joy, sorrow,
grief, shame, anger, passion to be expressed and witnessed, so that what needed
to be released was and the sense of community grew
powerfully.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Invited music, movement, art, and poetry –
and made meaning through them.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Nourishing the Body<o:p></o:p></SPAN></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Gathered at <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place
w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Shambhala</st1:PlaceName> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Mountain</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>, a sacred place, where the land
itself nourishes and teaches, thus playing a role in shaping the experience.
<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Sought a space where there would
be opportunity for exercise, bodywork, yoga, rest, and the satisfaction of
diverse nutritional needs. <SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Nourishing the Spirit</SPAN></I><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Grounded our work in sacred ceremony, that
connected us to the invisible and honored the non-human energies in which we
exist.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Invited people to listen to their own inner
wisdom </SPAN>and the deeper intelligences of the world <SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">rather than an external human authority as
they move their time together.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Welcomed and acknowledged the
animals, dreams, and natural phenomena that appeared to be called forth into our
midst by what we were doing.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B><o:p> </o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><U><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">Process:<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>What did we do to use our time together
most productively?<o:p></o:p></SPAN></U></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold">We created a space that allowed the unknown
to surface and bring its gifts through a </SPAN>process that boldly invited the
emergent to come forth, trusting the wisdom of the group to take it where it
most needed to go.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We made visible an ethic of hearing,
seeing, and loving each other as a framework for how we could best relate to
each other.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We called forth
participants’ dreams and aspirations of the people present early; ask them what
would “blow their mind” and what they need to bring that into being.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We invited people to take responsibility
for what they love as an act of service.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>We ensured the means for music, movement, art, words, access to nature
and to the sacred were available.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>In other words, we shaped an environment that allowed individuals and the
collective to be receptive and active, being and doing, through many modes of
expression.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">This choice opened an important
inquiry about the dynamic tension between “structured process where everyone
knows what’s going on, and everyone agrees to the ground rules” and a space open
to the mystery of what wants to emerge in the moment.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This is an inquiry that will undoubtedly
inform subsequent Story Field Conferences.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><U>The Flow of the
Conference<o:p></o:p></U></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The conference design passed
through many stages.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The initial
commitment to emergent practices was made by the initiating hosts – Peggy Holman
and Tom Atlee.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Several months prior
to the gathering, a two-day meeting among Peggy, Tom, Mark Jones, Candi Foon,
and Anne Stadler further clarified the shape of the gathering.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In practice, the specific conference
inquiries, process questions, and actions taken emerged as the gathering
unfolded.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="BACKGROUND: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Details are available at <A
href="http://storyfieldteam.pbwiki.com/Session+Notes">http://storyfieldteam.pbwiki.com/Session+Notes</A>
</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><U><o:p><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"></SPAN></o:p></U></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"></I> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Sunday, August 26<o:p></o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Intention:<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The birth of a village: connect with
oneself, others, the whole AND the purpose of conference, </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Welcome<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Peggy Holman briefly welcomed
people to the gathering.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>During
dinner, a question was placed on the tables for those who wished to explore
it:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><o:p> </o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Share the story of what inspired your life’s
work and how it has called you to the conference.<o:p></o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><BR>After dinner, someone from
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Shambhala</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Mountain</st1:PlaceType> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place> provided an orientation to the
space.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Who’s here?<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Peggy invited participants to
discover who was present through the “Wind Blows”, a process that invites people
to call out a quality (e.g., people who live in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State
w:st="on">Colorado</st1:State></st1:place>) and those who identify with it walk
across the room.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Naming dreams<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">John Abbe began a naming in which
people also spoke a wish stated as if it has occurred (e.g., I’m John Abbe and I
can fly.)<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The wishes ranged from
changing-the-world to making-it-through-the-day.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">People went to bed to sleep on
two questions:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">What’s one thing that could happen here that
would blow your mind? <o:p></o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>What do you need to have your mind blow during our time here
together??<o:p></o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Monday, August 27<o:p></o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt">Intention:<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Connect to the sacred, through
connection to the land and one’s ancestors</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">A sacred welcome to the
land<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Meeting outside the stupa, a
large, inspirationally constructed Tibetan Buddhist shrine and a 20-minute walk
from our meeting space, indigenous rituallist, Laurelyn, Baker told the story of
the pipe she carries and invited people to welcome their ancestors in silence as
each person held a staff.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Many
attributed the capacity to be present to the strong emotional expressions
particularly of anger and grief, which shaped the depth and breadth of the
community that formed, to the power of this two hour ritual.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(Many participants returned to the stupa
during the conference to experience its powerfully sacred impact.)</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Hearing, Seeing, Loving
Plus…<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p> </o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Mark Jones and Gabriel Shirley
invited a sharing around the opening questions when people returned.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Mark introduced HSLing (hizzeling) –
hearing, seeing, and loving -- as a practice for our time together and
beyond.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He then invited four people
to form a fishbowl in the center of our community circle.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They each spoke to the two questions
from the previous night:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">What’s one thing that could happen here that
would blow your mind? <o:p></o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>What do you need to create that experience?<o:p></o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">After each person spoke, other
three offered appreciative comments that embodied their hearing, seeing and
loving the speaker.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>After the
fishbowl provided the model, all of us gathered in groups of four to share our
responses to the questions.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">The space was opened with these
questions:<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><BR>What else could we be and do together
that can make a profound difference in the unfolding story of our
world?<o:p></o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><o:p> </o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Exploring:<o:p></o:p></I></P>
<UL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=disc>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">What brings stories to
life?<o:p></o:p></I></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">How do our current stories shape
us?<o:p></o:p></I></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">What life-serving narratives do we sense
emerging?<o:p></o:p></I></LI>
<LI class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">How might the stories we wish to live come
alive everywhere?<o:p></o:p></I></LI></UL>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p> </o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt">Following lunch, the
space was opened for offerings from the group.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The evening circle was hosted by
Anne Stadler and<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Candi Foon, in
which a talking stone was passed and everyone was invited to speak.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">A powerful moment occurred when a
participant expressed his pain at not being chosen to do one of the 15-minute
talks that were being scheduled for Tuesday.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Thirty people later around the circle,
Peggy responded to the participant’s question of why his request to share early
was ignored.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>She acknowledged what
happened as an abuse of power based on something he triggered in her and
apologized.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In the aftermath, many
saw this as a healing of an archetypical act – pain expressed for unseen power
acting arbitrarily, Peggy taking responsibility and apologizing on behalf of
bosses’ abusive acts everywhere.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt">After dinner, David
Korten presented his meta-story -- “The Great Turning.”</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Tuesday, August 28<o:p></o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><U><o:p><SPAN
style="TEXT-DECORATION: none"></SPAN></o:p></U></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt">The morning opened
with four “Story Field” Talks – 15 minute briefs from participants</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Chris Jordan – Running the Numbers</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>George Johnson – Video Vision Stories (now Tell-A-Vision)</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Larry Victor - Perception</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Kaye Williams – Her play: The Game</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Following the talks, the space
was opened for offerings from the group.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>(Conference session notes are posted at: <A
href="http://storyfieldteam.pbwiki.com/Session+Notes">http://storyfieldteam.pbwiki.com/Session+Notes</A>.)</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Mid-afternoon, Michael Dowd
presented a second meta-story -- “The Great Story” – in a well-attended break
out session.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">People gathered at the end of the
afternoon for a reflection circle and dinner.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The idea, compliments of Nancy
Glock-Gruneich, was to “speak when spoken through”.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Following dinner, Anodea Judith
presented the final meta-story offered: “Awakening the Global Heart”.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 46.75pt; TEXT-INDENT: -46.75pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The next collective evocative
moment occurred as her presentation ended, when a young, white male participant,
vibrating with anger, expresses the voice of many white men – her story includes
him/white men only as a destructive force.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>Spurred on by the remarkable dynamo in our midst, Vanessa German, Anodea
and this young man began a public exploration of what had occurred.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>While brief, it opened the door for a
more in-depth conversation the following day that was witnessed by some
participants.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(Aside: to see a
sample of Vanessa’s amazing poetry, visit: <<A
href="http://storyfieldteam.pbwiki.com/Aeron%20Miller">http://storyfieldteam.pbwiki.com/Aeron%20Miller</A>>)</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Wednesday, August 29<o:p></o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Following the intensity of
Tuesday evening, many awoke with a “download” to share.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Anne Stadler and Peggy Holman hosted the
space that morning.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Gabriel Shirley let go of
attempting to sort through the many offerings for Story Field Talks, offering
instead to host this as a break-out session.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">It began with a reading, offered
by a participant, of an Australian Aboriginal creation story (<A
href="http://storyfieldteam.pbwiki.com/The+Secret+of+Dreaming">http://storyfieldteam.pbwiki.com/The+Secret+of+Dreaming</A>).
</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The circle was established as a
place to express what had come through.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>There was much acting out of deep responses, including a scene in silence
with tears from one woman and movement from another reflecting her experience of
the tears, which sent some from the room.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>A variety of expressions of grief followed, with an undercurrent of
people moving out of the space into the hallway.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This reached its climax when a woman of
color expressed grief over the theft of indigenous stories.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>An indigenous holy man entered the
circle (on her behalf) and shared some of his traditional Hawai’ian
stories.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>After about 10 minutes, he
was interrupted, respectfully, by a white man, who expressed the archytypical
“let’s get on with it” energy that has been the undercurrent from those moving
in and out of the hallway.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He.was
roundly set upon by the group in the room.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The holy man was asked to finish his song and did so, never entering the
circle again.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>After a short
discussion of process, Peggy asked permission to invite offerings into the
space.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>She received it and the
space was finally opened for sessions.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">There was very spotty attendance
at the afternoon reflection circle.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>There is a dance that evening for those who choose to participate.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Thursday, August 30<o:p></o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The morning circle was well
attended, much different sense of the day.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The space was opened for offerings.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">During the evening circle, Tom
Atlee spoke of the need for addressing the systemic causes of breakdown, not
just address the breakdowns themselves; that as resources dwindle, the more they
are spent dealing with the aftermath of decay, the less they are available for
transformational work at the headwaters.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>As he spoke his heart, making visible his own situation with Karen, his
partner’s cancer, a hummingbird appeared in our midst.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(A video of Tom’s eight-minute talk can
be found on the same page with Vanessa's videos <<A
href="http://storyfieldteam.pbwiki.com/Aeron%20Miller">http://storyfieldteam.pbwiki.com/Aeron%20Miller</A>>.)</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Dinner was a banquet, beautifully
hosted by Rebecca Strong, followed by a talent show.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Note: During the evening debrief
among the conference hosts, a white male participant took us to task for
Wednesday morning.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We acknowledged
that we had violated the norm we had established for the conference structure
and next time would ask permission – give people a sense of choice.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He kept on, wanting the emotional
outpouring to be scheduled.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Peggy
blew up and made it clear that mystery was part of the essential nature of the
work.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>She said her perception was
that he wanted everything to be predictable and while the participant and
everyone else protested that this wasn’t what he was saying, when asked what he
meant, he couldn’t name it.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>(I,
Peggy, still believe he wants everything predictable.)<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>An important insight from Gabriel
Shirley:<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For some, what took place
on Wednesday was voices of individuals.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>For others, it was the voice of the collective being expressed through
individuals. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">Friday, August 31<o:p></o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><o:p> </o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Closing Ritual<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><o:p> </o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The closing was a sacred ritual,
that began with a multi-ethnic circle formed to smoke the pipe.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Tom and Peggy turned responsibility for
next year’s conference over to a group, gifting Vanessa German with a
“fluttering heart” bell and Adin Rogovin with a dreambox on behalf of the
hosts.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We offered a mantra with the
turnover:</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal">We are calling into being our collective
soul so that our many-storied world can find its way.<o:p></o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">The staff passed around the
circle and commitments were spoken silently and aloud.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">At the end, Peggy pulled Lion
Kimbro into the multi-ethnic circle, adding the voice of the white man.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Lion spoke a commitment to carrying the
Story Field onto the Internet.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Reflections<o:p></o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><B
style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><o:p> </o:p></B></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Following a break for good byes
to those who had planes to catch, people gathered in triads to reflect on the
conference using an appreciative interview guide.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We shared some of the insights in the
whole circle.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We closed with a song
from the group and stepped out into the world to seed what we had learned,
knowing that we were there for each other.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><o:p> </o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto"><I
style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal"><o:p> </o:p></I></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><o:p> </o:p></P></DIV>
<DIV>________________________________<BR>Peggy Holman<BR>The Open Circle
Company<BR>15347 SE 49th Place<BR>Bellevue, WA 98006<BR>(425) 746-6274
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><A
href="http://www.opencirclecompany.com">www.opencirclecompany.com</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><BR>For the new edition of The Change Handbook, go to: <BR><A
href="http://www.bkconnection.com/ChangeHandbook">www.bkconnection.com/ChangeHandbook</A>
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"An angel told me that the only way to step into the fire and not get
burnt, is to become <BR>the fire".<BR> -- Drew
Dellinger</DIV></BODY></HTML>
*
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