Generational Cycles — Is This Our Crisis?

I was in conversation today with my friend and colleague Jonathan Gilburg of Gilburg Leadership. It was followup to the Boston Art of Hosting Training that we co-hosted earlier this year.

As we checked-in we shared our awareness of big events happening in the world. In Japan, earthquake followed by tsunamic followed by the potential of nuclear meltdown. In Lybia, further civil war and the impact on democratic uprising in neighboring Arab nations. This is a conversation that can go on, the naming of significant happenings (which also are happening at the level of scale of self, team, community, organizations).

Do they call for us, all / many of us, to be in a different paradigm of thought, understanding, and practice?

I liked Jon’s description, from others that he has read, that perhaps we are in a generational cycle. It is the idea that, when tracked over civilizations, when reaching a significant enough level of crisis (and I believe hope), a new consciousness is born. But that with each shift, the crisis must appear (to help illuminate the accompanying dream). It is not to impose crisis, or intellectually understate the realness of what is happening in day to day lives. It is to notice some of the conditions for emergence.

This is one I’ll continue to watch for. Including the offerings of new thought, understanding, and practice.

Thanks Jon for this stirring.

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Gifts of Circle - Question Cardsasd
Gifts of Circle is 30 short essays divided into 4 sections: 1) Circle's Bigger Purpose, 2) Circle's Practice, 3) Circle's First Requirements, and 4) Circle's Possibility for Men. From the Introduction: "Circle is what I turn to in the most comprehensive stories I know -- the stories of human beings trying to be kind and aware together, trying to make a difference in varied causes for which we need to go well together. Circle is also what I turn to in the most immediate needs that live right in front of me and in front of most of us -- sharing dreams and difficulties, exploring conflicts and coherences. Circle is what I turn to. Circle is what turns us to each other."

Question Cards is an accompanying tool to Gifts of Circle. Each card (34) offers a quote from the corresponding chapter in the book, followed by sample questions to grow your Circle hosting skills and to create connection, courage, and compassionate action among groups you host in Circle.

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In My Nature
is a collection of 10 poems. From A Note of Beginning: "This collection of poems arises from the many conversations I've been having about nature. Nature as guide. Nature as wild. Nature as organized. I remain a human being that so appreciates a curious nature in people. That so appreciates questions that pick fruit from inner being, that gather insights and intuitions to a basket, and then brings the to table to be enjoyed and shared over the next week."

This set of Note Cards (8 cards + envelopes)  quotes a few favorite passages from poems in In My Nature. I offer them as inspiration. And leave room for you to write personal notes.

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Most Mornings is a collection of 37 poems. I loved writing them. From the introduction: "This collection of poems comes from some of my sense-making that so often happens in the morning, nurtured by overnight sleep. The poems sample practices. They sample learnings. They sample insights and discoveries. They sample dilemmas and concerns."

This set of Note Cards (8 cards + envelopes)  quotes a few favorite passages from poems in Most Mornings. I offer them as inspiration. And leave room for you to write personal notes.

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